[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]

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

[toremainbehind]

Hm? What is it?

[redstray]

Don't do that again. I'd...rather find out sooner from you then see it for myself. I don't want to think of you as a liar...okay? It...hurt. And...I'm happy you found someone. And uhm...

[ He fidgets, pausing in his speech. He still did not know how to feel but, it was something. ]

That's all...have a good night.

[toremainbehind]

I promise I'll tell you the truth.

[But he smiles slightly.]

Good night, little brother.

[redstray]

[ He smiles in return. ]

Good night, big brother.

[toremainbehind]

[He ends the call, but he does text Totsuka briefly to inform him that Eric knows about the scar.

Weeks has passed since Izumo's last call to Eric, though. Not a word, and it's getting closer to the two month end until Izumo's return. He's been kept busy, trying his best to move on from his so-called unhealthy attachment to his brother.

However, luck has never been on his side and he's been found by the same people who's been wanting him dead.

It was Miyabi who found hm, the one who's been taking care of him. But when she discovered how serious his injuries were, she took Izumo's phone and called the first name she saw on his call list: Eric.]

[redstray]

[ Totsuka and Fujishima both apologize to Eric but he has a harder time forgiving them. They understand and tell him the same thing Izumo did; he was not a dog. But, it still hurt and stayed in his mind.

As the weeks go by, Eric gets a bit better. Coming more out of his shell and more independent. Everyone was quite happy with his progress aftet everything.

He hears his ohone ring and puts it to his ear. It wasn't a normal time that Izumo callled but he was still happy to hear. ]

Hey Izumo.

[toremainbehind]

[There's a brief pause before Miyabi starts to ramble out incoherently.

She spoke too fast, a jumbled mess, before she finally calms down and tells Eric what happened.

Izumo was attacked.

Izumo became blind.]

[redstray]

[ As Eric listened it was his turn to into a mess. Fujishima took the phone as he saw Eric get more and more upset. Through that they found what happened and where they were. It didn't take long for Eric, Totsuka, Fujishima and Mikoto headed over to the hospital at the city.

Few hours they were there. An almost familiar scene as Eric ran over to his brother bedside. ]

I-Izumo? I'm...I'm here. C-can you see me?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo's become increasingly aware of the new presences in his hospital room, fingers curling tightly around his blanket.

He recognizes their voices before he becomes focused on Eric's voice. Lifting his head, there were bandages around his eyes, fresh ones after he reluctantly allowed a nurse to change it.]

Eric?

[redstray]

[ Eric's heart dropped and he bit his lip trying not to cry at the sight. He nods. ]

Y-yeah. I'm here. A girl called and uhm...she told me about what happened. Totsuka, Fujishima and Mikoto are here too. How are you feeling?

[toremainbehind]

A girl?

[He pauses, frowning slightly before he remembers.] Must've been Miyabi.

The others are here, too? [He hears Totsuka greet him, followed by Fujishima. Izumo didn't even need to hear Mikoto to recognize him; the man's aura was enough of a giveaway.]

...Sorry for the trouble.

[redstray]

I guess.

[ He grabs hold of Izumos free hand, squeezing it slightly. ]

No it's fine. I wish we came sooner. Mikoto's got some connections here...he says that he'll find whoever did this.

[toremainbehind]

[He squeezes back, trying his best to reassure his brother.

At the news, however, he smirks lightly.]

Won't take too long to figure out who did this, then.

[redstray]

Yeah...

[ Izumo can't see, he can't see. Eric stared at the bandages]

I...is...are your eyes...will they be okay?

[toremainbehind]

[For a moment, Izumo says nothing.

Then he finally shakes his head.] Doctor's said its temporary, but they're still not sure how bad the damage is. [His fingers twitches when he senses someone coming over, his body tensing up.]

[redstray]

[ It's Mikoto. He goes over and places a hand on Izumo's head.

Eric smiles a bit in relief. His hand shaking slightly. ]

It's temporary...temporary that's good. That's...really good. I'll help. We...we all will to help...with the bar...and and anything you need.

[toremainbehind]

[At the touch, Izumo tilts his head into it. It's comforting in a way, even though he knows Mikoto is never the type of person to show such affection.

He taps on Eric's hand.]

Are you sure? [Izumo hates feeling like a burden, but Totsuka immediately claims that they'll do anything to help him until he regains his sight.]

[redstray]

[ He jumps a bit at the tap but nods. He'll be good, he'll help his brother. ]

Totsuka's been teaching me how to cook. And Chitose how to take orders and math with change. I've been getting real good at it.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo smiles, happy to hear that.]

That's good to hear. [There's a timid knock on the door and a nurse comes in, shyly requesting for everyone to make room so she can check on Izumo's eyes.]

[redstray]

[ He smiled as Izumo did. Maybe his brother felt proud for doing something.

The nurse comes in and all of them move away. As she undos the bandages Eric looks over to see how bad...

He squeaks and shuts his eyes, he can't look. He feels a hand on his back and shakes it off. Izumo was hurt and he couldn't do do anything. These months had been a bad idea ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo hears the squeak, knowing its from his brother. He tries to give him a reassuring smile, but it doesn't work when the bandages are off.

His hands tightly clenches the sheets at seeing darkness.

It's Mikoto who notices, and it's him who suggests to Fujishima to take Eric out, suggesting they get Izumo something to drink.]

[redstray]

[ He tries to look. Seeing the glazed eyes that weren't seeing, still trying to help him. He felt Fujishima lead him away and he let him. Get his brother a drink...thay would be good.

He had to show Izumo he's improved and not scared anymore. But his eyes...they weren't his brother's right now. That was the scariest thing he's ever seen. But he had to be strong.

Fujishima rubbed his back as he saw the other shaking, telling him some comfort. Let's get the drink first. ]