toremainbehind | [How many times can we fall?]

Entry tags:

assassin au

[How many times can we fall?]

[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.]

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Nothing wrong with trying to navigate myself now.

[Totsuka politely declines with a smile. Izumo gently tugs on Eric's arm.]

Just take it easy, don't push it.

[ Feeling the tug he starts going off to their favorite ramen place. ]

Alright, alright.

[He lets Eric lead him, looking around.]

[ The walk is nice and not too far before they arrive. Going in they manage to grab a good seat and sit down, Eric ordering for the both of them, both their favorites. There's some silence as Eric stares at the table before he looks up at his brother. ]

Hey...Izumo?

Hm, what is it?

Do you think...that we'll ever be normal?

What do you mean by 'normal'?

I mean...put all of this stuff from our past behind. To stop...stop with all this and live at least...a little normal.

[Izumo is quiet for a moment, thinking.]

Is that what you want?

[ His hands under the table were going a mile a minute, tugging on each other and on his sleeves. ]

I don't want to be afraid anymore. Or...or worry...or think...just...

[ He still had troubled going in open crowded spaces, he couldn't greet Miyabi as he should have even with his brother there.

He's seen so many people his age walk past the bar, laughing, having lives, playing games, being with friends. He had some of that but it was at a bar with a gang, just like it had been a warehouse with a gang. He had freedoms but the world was terrifying from how it used to be when he was ten years old. ]

I can't even go to school...or...or be on my own, or meet new people, because of everything. Some small piece of normal life, wouldn't hurt. Don't you think?

[Izumo is quiet before he lets out a gentle sigh.

Many times he's envisioned a normal life for the two of them. They've only ever gotten a glimpse of it, like a little piece of heaven.

This—This life isn't meant for his brother.

Izumo grew up in it, took active part in it, but Eric deserves more.

He deserves better.]

If you want a normal life, then we can have a normal life. I can always start looking at schools for you to attend in, or find another teacher for you.

[ He wasn't expecting that kind of answer, not at all. He grew up in it too, younger then his brother. He wasn't even sure of the outside world still, what he saw seemed like it never came close to his faded memories before he was locked away. ]

I haven't even finished elementary school...how could I even go to school at this point?

I know a few people who are teachers; they can tutor you and bring you up to speed to the education level you should be at.

[He sits back a little.]

But if this is the life you want, we can have it.

[ His brother knew these people, he could have a different life. He didn't hate the one he was in now, but thoughts were scary sometimes when he was by himself.

Because what would happen if there was no Homra? No Izumo? How could he live without knowing how to do so much in his life. He was still 10 in some ways, in a lot of ways and it scared him. He felt all he was was a burden on everyone around him and he hated it.

He pressed his nails into his hands to calm him down and to stop shaking. ]

Maybe...I don't know, just forget it.

[ The food comes and Eric goes to staring at that, stirring it about and eating it. He shouldn't have brought it up, this life was fine, right? ]

Eric, no.

[He ignores the food in favor of paying attention to his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder.]

I want you to talk to me.

[ He's quiet for a moment, stirring the broth about with the chopsticks. ]

About what?

Anything. About this normal life you want to lead.

[ There's an even longer silence as Eric debates whether he should mention anything. He was being selfish saying all these things and that was a bad dog. But, Izumo asked, so maybe, it was okay to say a little bit. ]

I...want to learn. I just don't want to sit around waiting for people to come back. Maybe even, be able to take care of myself...Totsuka taught me to make food, and Chitose some money...stuff. To stop relying on people so much.

And you, you not doing so much gang stuff anymore. Even though we're with Homra, to stop doing jobs so often. Please...Too many people still want you. Or me to get to you so please...

[ He turned silent. Too many words, too much revealed, there wasn't much energy left from there. ]

[Izumo is quiet as he listens intently to what Eric is saying.

When he grows quiet, he smiles a little, pleased and relieved.

Placing a hand on Eric's head, Izumo leans forward to rest their foreheads against each other.]

I'm glad you told me.

[ He jumps a bit at the notion, a bit surprised by the comment ]

W-why?

Because you're telling me something that you want.

Sorry...

Why are you sorry?

You all do so much already, and just bothering you with some stupid things I thought of...I don't like being a burden.

Eric, this isn't stupid. Telling me what you want is never stupid.

[He ruffles his hair.] And you're not a burden. You never have been.

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redstray - 2016-01-06 04:57 (UTC) - Expand