[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]

[ The slump causes Eric to jump in surprise but he holds his brother all the same. He stares at Mikoto who only nods and leaves the room, giving the two privacy. ]

I'm...I'm going to go on the bed okay? It's just me.

[ Slowly, he moves his body onto the bed curling up beside Izumo still holding him. He used his free hand to pet his hair, trying anything to reach him a bit more. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo waits, listening and soon sensing mikoto's departure from the room.

It was just him and Eric now, and it's comforting.

At the same time, terrifying.

He doesn't react, simply going along with Eric and allowing his brother to pet his hair.]

[redstray]

[ It's soft and quiet but Eric starts to sing their song. It has worked so many times for him if it worked just once for his brother, let it be now. ]

[toremainbehind]

[He's quiet, listening to their song.

It's comforting.

And soon enough, he'll start singing along once he's feeling calm enough.]

[redstray]

[ When he heard Izumo sing along he smiled, tears streaming down his face in relief. His brother was still there, still here with him. He continued to sing slightly choked as he held his brother. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Its not long before Izumo's voice fades, having finally calmed down enough to fall asleep again.]

[redstray]

[ When he hears Izumo's breathing steadying he's happy, so happy. Izumo was calm now. Him...was another story.

He quietly cried, no noise to wake up his brother. He was good at that, he used to do this so often, staying so quiet to let his brother rest. But enough to cry out his worries and fears. He was terrified. So scared of losing his brother again. He couldn't, couldn't lose him again.

After a few minutes his tiredness won him over and he too, fell asleep, holding his brother as if his life depended on it. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Morning rolls around and Izumo wakes up first.

There's a slight panic at seeing nothing until he remembers his situation.

He hears Totsuka talking to him quietly, greeting him.]

[redstray]

[ As soon as Totsuka speaks, Eric jolts from his sleep, not fully awake. ]

I-Izumo...is staying. He's staying don't...

[ He grabs hold of Izumos arm and squeezes it, making sure hes there and he stays. ]

[toremainbehind]

It's okay, Eric. I'm here.

[His words are backed up by Totsuka, who assures them he won't try to take Izumo away.]

[redstray]

Izumo...You're okay. You're talking. You're not...

[ He clung to Izumo's arm. He was back. His brother was back. ]

[toremainbehind]

I'm sorry for worrying you.

[redstray]

You...you...you idiot.

[ He tried. He tried to be strong but right now he was angry and worried. He was shaking. His voice cracking from unshed tears. ]

You're a big...idiot...

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo reaches out and tugs him into another hug.

He's sorry.

He's sorry.

No matter how many times he says it, it won't ever be enough.]

[redstray]

[ He clings to him as if his life depended on it. ]

I...I couldn't...I couldn't reach you...you were so far away...

[toremainbehind]

I never meant to cause you so much worry.

[redstray]

You're okay you're okay you're okay. You're back back back..

[toremainbehind]

[He runs his fingers through Eric's hair to comfort him.

Izumo keeps his eyes open, figures it wouldn't matter if he closed them or not, anyway. He wishes he can see Eric right now, but there's nothing - not even a blur.

He refuses to fall into that mindset again, knowing what it's doing to his brother.]

[redstray]

[ He tries to be the closest he can to his brother, shutting his eyes as he felt Izumo petting his hair.

But he can't. He can't just take the comfort. He pushes himself away from him and rubs his eyes. He had to be stronger. Hold better ]

H-how are you feeling? Are...are you...better?

[toremainbehind]

[That's new.

And it hurt a little bit, but he doesn't let it show.

Instead, he smiles, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.] I am. I didn't think I'd react the way I did.

[redstray]

[ He had to. He had to be strong. He worked...so hard and to have it all fall apart he can't do it. He can't be weak, had to be a strong dog. ]

It's okay. Becoming blind, even for a short time must be pretty scary.

[toremainbehind]

[If he could travel back to time, he'd be sure to do anything in his power to prevent Eric from being trained to think along the terms of a dog.]

It's certainly unsettling.

[redstray]

We'll help you through it though. One step at a time. You can tell us when you're scared or need help okay? You don't have to hide it.

[ like he was one to talk but Izumo kept everything inside. Things needed to come out. ]

[toremainbehind]

Mm. That'll...be difficult for me to do, Eric.

[It is. He knows it's painful to hear, but it's the truth.

He's always been the rock for his brother, fighting off his demons.

But not once - not once did he ever ask for help in return. Izumo's demons were kept under lock and key, but there were cracks that keep growing deeper regardless of what he does.]

[redstray]

That's my fault, and that's why I said one step at a time.

[ How many times did Izumo want to cry when all Eric did was want his feelings dealt with? It wasn't fair and he had been selfish, forcing his brother to be more alone. Bad dog bad. But he can help him now. He can help him let things out, even a little. ]