[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 don't think...it's as easy as just saying that.

[ Just like it was hard for Izumo to confront and talk about his feelings, Eric didn't even realize what he had been doing until a couple of minutes ago. How could he even stop that if he can't even recognize it? ]

[toremainbehind]

That's why we both need to work on it.

Like my little sessions, you need to be able to work on yours - slowly, one step at a time.

[redstray]

I know...I know. But, what if I fall in again...and don't know?

[ He blinked, realizing something. He looks up at Izumo, then back to the others. He frowned, feeling a bit hurt. ]

You knew...you all knew and you didn't tell me! Why didn't any of you tell me?!

[toremainbehind]

[Almost immediately, Fujishima and Totsuka defend themselves, claiming that they did tell him, but he didn't believe him.

Izumo continues to hold Eric, his expression one of patience and understanding.]

Eric, you've been far into that mindset already that you haven't noticed you've been doing it subconsciously, and you kept denying it.

[redstray]

[ Whatever anger or frustration came out was subsided as he heard Izumo's explanation. He was right, he thought they were lying when anything was brought up.

It was so bad he hadn't even noticed. He slumped further into his brothers hold, guilt weighing on him. ]

...I'm sorry

[toremainbehind]

You have nothing to be sorry for.

[Pulling back a little, Izumo gives him a kind smile.]

But you did good, Eric. The first step to solving any problem is to admit it.

[redstray]

[ He tries to smile back but it turns to mild worry ]

I didn't even know...how can I even know I'm being like that again if I couldn't even see it? It's so easy...so easy to fall back...the world is too scary..too hard to deal with when I'm not like that.

[ It was a defense mechanism almost. He knew how o act like a dog, not a normal person who could walk to a store and buy things all by himself. Or sleep in a new place like it was nothing. Being a dog made him deal with the changes...or made them worse. ]

[toremainbehind]

That's why we'll help you.

Step by step, little by little. We won't go too fast or too slow, but we do need to keep everything in moderation.

[He glances over at Totsuka when the other suggest seeing a psychiatrist, or at least talk to someone Eric trusts enough without judging - other than Izumo.]

[redstray]

[ Eric's eyes widen at the mention and he shakes his head. No new people no new people. ]

I can't. I can't, no.

[toremainbehind]

It won't be anyone new.

[Izumo's eyes flicker towards Fujishima before he looks back at Eric.]

...How much do you trust Fujishima?

[redstray]

Fujishima?

[ He turned to look at his friend, who smiled back at him. ]

A lot but...I don't want to be anymore of a burden on him.

[toremainbehind]

[Fujishima retorts by saying that Eric has never been a burden on him - not once.

Watching the redhead, Izumo hides an amused smile, seeing the slight fluster on Fujishima's face.]

Fujishima is willing to help you, Eric. You're not being a burden if he chooses to help you, especially with a smile on his face.

[redstray]

[ He's a bit surprised by Fujishima's statement but he nods, fidgeting a bit with his sleeve.

He looks back at his brother, determined. ]

...I'll try.

[toremainbehind]

[He smiles, patting Eric's head once.]

As I've said before, sometimes trying is all that you really need.

[Izumo pulls back a bit as Fujishima comes closer to them, his worry for Eric fully expressed now that Eric has completely calmed down.]

[redstray]

[ He nods, he will have to try, because he wants to grow and learn. He wanted to see the outside world as exciting not as terrifying.

He umps a bit when Fujishima comes closer to him and he gives a mild pout. He didn't like being doted on. ]

I'm...I'm fine! I'm alright now, stop worrying.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo laughs a bit, ruffling Eric's hair before pulling away completely so that Fujishima can talk to Eric.

He joins Totsuka and Mikoto, who both stood off to the side. The three of them shared looks with one another before Totsuka lets out a light laugh, placing a hand on his shoulder while Mikoto makes a sound, placing a hand on top of his head.]

[redstray]

[ He watches Izumo back away as Fujishima sits beside him to talk a little.

They only talk for a bit, because Eric is here to spend time with his brother, and they can have time to themselves to help Eric with his problems.

Eric was getting a bit tense, too. Finding out he still thought of himself a dog and going through all of that again was almost more then enough for one night. It was going to take some time to get used to it again.

Fujishima gives his hair a ruffle before smiling, understanding. Giving a nod, Eric went back to where his brother was. Though he hesitant since Izumo was hanging out with his friends and he didn't want to intrude too much. ]

[toremainbehind]

[When he notices Eric coming over, Izumo simply gestures him to come closer.

Mikoto immediately escapes back upstairs, claiming he was still sleepy, and Totsuka laughs.

The other man walks over to pat Eric on the shoulder once before stealing Fujishima away in order to clean up the dishes and leaving the brothers alone.

Shaking his head, Izumo looks back at his brother.]

Feeling better?

[redstray]

[ He quickly comes over and is beside him almost instantly.

He leans on him, smiling a little. ]

Yeah...thanks. Fujishima says...we can work on it everyday when he gets home. Nice and slow.

[toremainbehind]

[A chuckle escapes from him as he wraps an arm around Eric's shoulder in a brotherly hug.]

That sounds like a good plan. I hope you won't mind me asking about it sometimes when we see each other.

[redstray]

[ He enjoys the hug, using one of his arms to return it. ]

I'll try...maybe Fujishima can tell you a bit better.

[ To tell Fujishima was one thing, but to tell his brother what some of those people did to him...somehow sounded more scary. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo tightens the hug briefly.]

Mm, if he decides to tell me, but I won't pry.

[He's understanding at the very least, so he won't bother him too much about it.]

[redstray]

Do you still not like him very much?

[ He was trusting him enough to let his brother live with hi, and to deal with his problems. But still, it was almost the only option for Eric, there wasn't much of a choice for Izumo to make. ]

[toremainbehind]

I like him well enough - he's good for you. I just haven't learned to completely trust him enough.

[He shifts a bit, almost wanting a cigarette, but he doesn't want to smoke around Eric.]

Isn't it the same as your feelings for Mikoto and Totsuka?

[redstray]

You trust him enough to let me stay with hi and to be someone I talk to. Seems like a lot.

[ He gives a loose shrug. ]

Totsuka, I don't mind much. Mikoto...is still scary. But, they both deal with you well enough, they keep you in check better then I could.