[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]

[ Eric waves until he can no longer see the van and his heart hurts. His mind was trying to tell him it was okay, that Izumo was going to come back home and everything will be better. But another voice in his head told him that his brother was abandoning him, that he will never see him again.

Totsuka placed a hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump. The older man qently asked him to come back inside. Izumo's vehicle long gone from view. He followed back into the bar and felt the warmth that had always been in there, gone. He kept repeating to himself to himself that he could do this, he can be without his brother for two months. That Izumo had it worse by being by himself, that he can prove to everyone he can be independent.

But when he sat down on one of the couches, Totsuka near by, his heart hurt too much, his chest too tight. He saw Totsuka smile in comfort before the world became blurry. He felt a hand on his head and Totsuka saying comforting things as he cried. He would adjust, he knew, but first he had to learn to adjust and let this all out of his system.

He calmed down just before everyone else arrived. They all seemed extra cheerful, more energetic than usual. They all tried their best to distract Eric throughout the day. But he continued to look at his phone as it became later. He had to call soon, right? How far away was the next city? Did he get there all right? ]

[toremainbehind]

[Being alone was something Izumo was never used to.

He always had company with him over the years, even if it was company he never wanted or hated. Being with Homra changed that; there is always someone to hang around, to linger, and to even simply appreciate the silence with. Izumo's always had Eric with him, whether in mind or in person; however, this is something new.

For once, he's entirely alone with no one to back him up, in a city that he's never been to before.

Adjusting had been the hard part once he settled into his temporary new home.

But he's made up his mind and willing to go through with it. He won't give up and cave, heading back home when he knew this had to be done.

Izumo's fingers itched to call Eric once it became night after he had woken up from a long day's rest. Taking in a deep breath, he finally pressed on Eric's name, placing the device next to his ear and waiting for the call to go through.]

[redstray]

[ Eric was adjusting. Still missing his brother, his presence always. The times he has called out to him in the kitchen, or in his room, to have someone else be there or reply were endless. The calls helped, every night they called each other and it was wonderful. He was getting better but after the goodnights and the phone shutting off, the lonelieness came back. Even with all the company, he still felt alone sometimes.

He was getting ready for a bath, something nice to help soothe him when a small thought poked into his head. How was his injury doing? Fujishima, Totsuka and Izumo were the only ones who treated it and they all said it was healing nicely. He wondered what it looked like, and, with his shirt off and a mirror here, what time like the present?

He shuffled over, head turning to take a look. It was red and white, healing. No bubbles or anything but...the white part...he held his breathe. That design...

Dog.

They carved the kanji for dog into him.

Eric felt sick. Why? Why did they do that to him? He was a dog he was a dog. Why...did no one tell him? He was a dog...that didn't need the truth.

They lied to him. They kept this from him.

He felt his hand go through something. The mirror disappeared, his hand was hurting. Eric didn't want to see the truth anymore.

Fujishima and Totsuka ran into the bathroom, seeing Eric standing with a bloodied hand and a smashed mirror.

They asked what happened, was he okay? Eric felt himself nodding. He was going to grab something but had another weak, dizzy relapse. He hit the mirror as he tried to grab something to support himself. The lie flowed through his lips so easily, even he was surprised by how quick it came out. They had lied to him...he can lie back.

They bought it, Fujishima grabbing the first aid kit and bandaging his head, Totsuka telling him to take it easy. He nodded, blankly watching his hand be covered in white. He told them he wanted to go to his room, lie down and make sure it passed. They helped him over, both not telling him they saw his back and the scar of the one word on it.

He curled up into his blankets, feeling heavy and angry. They knew, they knew and kept it from him and still did. What would have happened if he told the truth? That he saw his back? Were they still going to lie or admit they hid it? Were they ever going to mention it?

He was a dog, it didn't matter if he knew, it wouldn't change anything.

He heard his phone ringing, his eyes peering over to look at it. It was his brother...it was Izumo. He lied to him too..

It took a few rings of Eric staring at the phone before he closed his eyes. He was still his brother. He brought it too his ear, sounding happy at least. ]

Hello, Izumo. How are you?

[toremainbehind]

[He'd been relieved to hear Eric's voice, receiving a text from Totsuka earlier about what happened.

But the relief quickly faded once he heard the strange tone in Eric's voice.

Eric can lie to everyone else, but never to Izumo.

Eyes sliding close, he thought about what it could be that warranted such a violent reaction from his brother to smash a mirror--

Mirror.

Bloodied hand.

It connected in his mind quickly, causing him to sit up in the bed he was resting on.]

I'm doing well. Just recently got back from work.

[A temporary job to help him move on - it was a suggestion from Totsuka before he left.

But he didn't say anything more, eyes focused on the wall in front of him as he curled his fingers around the blanket tightly.]

You've found out about your scar.

[redstray]

Anything interesting happen?

[ He flinches a bit. Totsuka must have messaged him about the incident already. But, he's not going to give in. ]

Yeah, I know I have one, it's why you're not here right now. Thanks for the reminder.

And before I forget, Yata got in another scuffle with Bandou, and managed to remove some of the stain on the bar. He's been trying to figure out how to restain it without you knowing, it's pretty amusing

[toremainbehind]

Hardly.

[Ah, a battle of wits then? Izumo can play along.]

Totsuka and Fujishima don't know yet, do they?

[He lets out an irritated sound upon hearing what happened.]

I'll make sure they both get a beating when I come back. How bad is the damage?

[redstray]

They've seen it plenty of times before. You three helped cleaned it remember?

It's about the size of half of Yata's foot. It's on of the counter's corner, Chitose put somethi g over it to cover it for now. You might also need to pick up a mirror too, I...accidentally broke the one in the bathroom.

[ Say something more damaging so the less damage one looks less. ]

[toremainbehind]

It's my mistake for not telling you about it beforehand.

[A soft sound, almost resembling a whine.

How many more things can be damaged during his absence?]

At least tell me it isn't a complete mess.

[redstray]

About what?

[ He felt his hand clench as he frowned. Izumo really... he closed his eyes. ]

It's not that bad, it's fixable if an idiot doesn't do it.

/REPLIES TO THIS AND FLEES

[toremainbehind]

You shouldn't forgive me for lying about that. [He pauses, then there's a sound of a lighter being ignited.]

That depends on the idiot, though.

CURSE YOU COME BACK D<

[redstray]

[ He wasn't going to say it, was he? Why bother telling the truth to a dog? He was a liar, always a liar. It hurt. His brother always promised he would never lie to him, and he was doing so right now. He can't rely on him anymore, can't rely on a liar. ]

...Totsuka's teaching me how to cook.

SHHH

[toremainbehind]

I'm sorry for lying to you about your scar. I didn't want you to think of yourself like that — you're not a dog, Eric.

[His fingers twitches.]

That's good. He's a good teacher.

[He pauses, quiet for a moment.] I've met someone.

/HOLDS

[redstray]

[ He flinches, hearing that. So he finally admitted it, finally admitted that he had lied. He doesn't reply for a long time, his hands shaking as he tried to calm down. He won't acknowledge what he said, he can't forgive him right now, he doesn't believe his words either. ]

Who?

/FLEES

[toremainbehind]

As I've said, you shouldn't forgive me for lying to you.

[A weak chuckle.]

Her name is Miyabi. Strange girl, but she's got quite the personality.

/FOLLOWS

[redstray]

You like her?

[toremainbehind]

Who knows? I've never really felt attracted to anyone before.

[redstray]

If she makes you happy. I think that's all that matters...right?

[toremainbehind]

What matters is if you'd approve of her first.

[redstray]

Uhn...well...I haven't even met her. But if you think she's good then...I approve.

[toremainbehind]

When I come back, I'll be sure to introduce her to you properly.

[redstray]

I look forward to it...

[ He was happy for his brother finding someone, he was. But there was still that pang of jealousy. That voice telling him he wasn't needed or wanted anymore strayed into his head. It happened when Mikoto and Totsuka wanted to be friends with his brother. It didn't mean anything but, it was still around. ]

What is she like?

[toremainbehind]

[He chuckles.]

She's...lively. She's not the type to ever just settle down, and she can be a little loud. But she's also incredibly patient and understanding.

[A brief pause.] I think you'd like her, too.

[redstray]

She sounds...nice. Where did you meet her?

[ These are the questions that you ar suppose to ask right? When Chitose brought over another woman to the bar these questions were always asked. ]

[toremainbehind]

In a cafe.

[There's something in his tone that suggests that Izumo is aware of Eric being unsure of the questions.

But then Izumo glances at the clock, becoming increasingly aware of the time.] It's getting late. You should be going to bed.

[redstray]

Ah...yeah...

[ It was getting late but he wanted to say something first. ]

But one more thing Izumo