[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]

[ He turns to the sound of the new noises. When Izumo suggests he looks back at his brother. ]

Do you think they'll be mad?

[ He not only ran off and snapped at them. But he also came back unconcious. He knows he'll probably be okay, but it was still a bit of a scare and he needed reasurrance. ]

[toremainbehind]

Maybe a little, but they were concerned for you when I brought you back yesterday.

[Placing his hands on Eric's shoulders, he steers him to the bar.] Be sure to apologize properly to them.

[redstray]

Ah...but

[ He couldn't say more before he was out the door.

They all greeted him cheerfully, Fujishima amd Totsuka both coming closer for a concerned question and examination.

He mumbled out that he was fine and sorry for worrying them. Another mumbled mess of apologies to Fujishima for snappy comments that he made. There was a round of some laughs and all was forgiven. He stiffened a bit when he was given a hug because of the redness of his eyes.

They decided to hang at the bar, Eric floating on the edge from the noise. He occasionally added to the conversation but mostly quiet sitting with Fujishima. But he kept looking up waiting for his brother.]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo listens to the idle chatter as he continues the clean up, only looking over when Totsuka made his presence know. He says nothing as he works, keeping an ear out for them in case Eric has another break down.

When he hears none, he lets out a little smile, earning a knowing smile from Totsuka.

It takes a while before Izumo finally comes out with a tray of drinks, the boys greeting him happily before Kamamoto helps Izumo pass the drinks out to everyone. He takes his usual spot behind the bar counter, putting out his cigarette on the ash tray on the counter as he listens to them all talk.]

[redstray]

[ Eric nods his head in thanks to Kamamoto for the drink, sipping it a bit at a time as he listened to everyone talking. He also looks over, making sure his brother was there behind the counter.

He was glad he was able to calm down before everyone came over even if there was still some lingering, being a bit jumpy and avoiding almost all eye contact. Fujishima kept looking at him before looking at Izumo, noticing the change and being worried. ]

[toremainbehind]

[When Izumo notices Fujishima looking at him, he looks over at Eric noticing him being jumpy and nearly avoiding eye contact.

He smiles slightly, shaking his head.]

Eric, mind coming over here for a bit? [Hopefully if he draws Eric away from the crowd a little bit, he'll calm down further.]

[redstray]

[ He perks up his head and looks at his brother, before sliding off of the chair and wandering over behind the counter beside him. He tilted his head, not really knowing what happened to make him being called here. ]

You need something?

[toremainbehind]

I need some help bringing in boxes from the back. Mind helping?

[Never mind Izumo's perfectly capable of doing it himself or ask one of the other guys to help him. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches a glimpse of Fujishima looking on worriedly.]

[redstray]

Ah...uhm...sure.

[ He frowns, knowing that usually Izumo asked other people for help, but he was willing to if asked. ]

[toremainbehind]

Don't make that face. It makes it seem like you don't want to help.

[A lie, but Izumo's heading to the back, anyway. He glances back to see if Eric follows.]

[redstray]

Of course I want to help.

[ He pouts a bit, trailing after Izumo. ]

[toremainbehind]

I wouldn't be a good brother if I forced you to do anything.

[But they're entering the back now, and Izumo waves the light air of dust away.]

We'll need to clean up this room later.

[redstray]

You're a great brother don't say such stupid things.

[ He catches a sneeze before it goes off from the sudden change of dust in the new room. ]

That's not like you to leave a room this dusty.

[toremainbehind]

Such a sweet little brother.

[A light laugh even as Izumo goes to the back of the room.]

Mm, I've been preoccupied lately, but I'll clean it up once we're done moving the boxes out of this room.

[redstray]

Shut up.

[ He says it partially jokingly and in embarrassment. He follows tracing his finger along the wall. ]

Your clan job?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo chuckles, glancing back at Eric. He watches him for a moment before he registers the question.

He nods.]

Mikoto wanted me to check out a couple of things, so it kept me busy.

[redstray]

[ He frowns. Whenever he heard something like that, it made a tinge of jealously, anger and fear go through him. He never liked it when Mikoto asked him to do things. ]

What kind of things?

[toremainbehind]

[He looks through the boxes, trying to find the box of wine he was specifically searching for.]

It's nothing too serious, but enough to warrant some attention. [Izumo wants to tell Eric the situation, but he and Mikoto both agreed not to tell anyone just yet.

If the situation gets any more dangerous, then perhaps, but not now.]

[redstray]

If it's enough to get attention, it's serious.

[ He didn't like it when they hid secrets about the clan. Sure he wasn't a fighting member, Izumo wouldn't let him, but he still wanted to know what was going on with the group and his brother. ]

You won't tell me though...will you?

[toremainbehind]

We just want to make sure it doesn't get too serious.

[But at the question, Izumo pauses, quiet for a brief moment as he looks back at Eric.

He gives him apologetic smile.]

No, I won't. I'm sorry, but I don't want you to worry too much if it really does turn out to be nothing.

[redstray]

I'll worry anyways.

[ He says that with a bit of sadness to it. He'll always be an outsider to these sort of things with his brother and he hated it. He looked away from that smile, he didn't want to hear it. It didn't make him feel any better. ]

Where are the boxes you wanted?

[toremainbehind]

Ah, they're right here.

[Izumo gestures Eric over before he hears his phone ring.

He gives Eric another apologetic look as he takes the call.]

[redstray]

[ When he hears the phone ring, and the apologetic look comes his way he glares back, huffing before just grabbing the boxes and bringing them out.

He knew it was being childish, Izumo had a job, but he wanted to be a bit selfish, to keep his brother a bit more. Away from Mikoto and that damn phone that never stopped ringing. They gave them a good life, but he wished there wasn't any of this clan. ]

[toremainbehind]

[He speaks on the phone for a while, spoken in hushed whispers as he watches Eric takes the boxes.

There's a tug of guilt on his heart, but he knew there's no other way as he has accepted Mikoto's conditions when he allowed the brothers to join his clan.

It's a moment before Izumo comes back out to the bar again, walking over to the coat rack by the door and grabbing his. He sees the curious looks from the others, but he simply waves them away when Chitose and Yata asks him where he's going.]

I'll be out for a while. Try not to destroy the bar in the mean time. [He looks over at Eric, once more giving him that apologetic glance before he leaves.]

[redstray]

[ He stops when he hears that announcement. His stomack curls when he sees that look again on him. He clenches his jaw and walks out right after him. ]

You're leaving? Just like that?