[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]

You're still the largest, and most important rock.

[ As much as he enjoyed Homra and havjng Fujishima and Totsuka, there was still doubt there. Still some untrustworthy thoughts that sometimes he didn't want to be with them any more. But Izumo was an absolute, always an absolute.

He shuffles closer as his brother asked, sitting right at the front near his side. ]

[toremainbehind]

When the largest rock crumbles, the smaller ones will always be there to support it.

[Izumo knows his presence in Eric's life is a definite; they're each other's supports, each other's rocks, and sometimes, sole purpose for even existing.

But when Eric's close, he rests his forehead against his brother's.]

[redstray]

[ Eric nuzzles a little bit when their foreheads rest on each other, his eyes closed. Izumo's here, he's alive. Behind the hospital smell be could still smell his brother. Everything was alright again. ]

That doesn't mean that the big rock won't be missed.

[toremainbehind]

[Eric's presence is comforting, almost astoundingly so. It's not the first time Izumo's been near death, but never had he ever had his brother so close to him whenever he got over his experiences.

He keeps their foreheads together.]

At least the big rock has another big rock to keep it standing, too.

[redstray]

[ Eric's careful, keeping their foreheads together as he loops his arms around his brother, wanting to be as close as possible. ]

That rock is glad...to help when it feels useless at times.

[toremainbehind]

[He hums softly at feeling Eric hugging him, feeling his body ache in protest, but he ignores it in favor of simply having is brother close.]

Never useless, so stop thinking that.

[redstray]

[ He could list so many reason why it was the truth, why he barely functioned in the world and the only reason he wasn't worse was because of the bar and the people inside it. But he sighed]

You win, just for tonight.

[ The door opening and a cheerful Totsuka popping in causes Eric to jump, letting go of Izumo and remoiving his forehead. He looked down as the other continued to smile, blushing a bit.

He looked over at the patient, grinning as he said visiting hours were almost over and he was going to bring Eric home. Knowing this made his heart fall as he looked over at his brother, not wanting to go and leave him again. ]

Izumo...

[toremainbehind]

[When Totsuka bursts in, Izumo sends him an irritated look, one that's returned with a wide grin.

He shakes his head, quiet as Totsuka tells them that visiting hours are almost over. Seeing the look on Eric's face, he allows a soft smile to appear.]

It'll be okay. You can just come back and see me tomorrow, Eric.

[Because he knows how much Eric is reluctant to leave him; he'd do the same if he was in his brother's position. However, rules are rules, and Izumo didn't want any trouble in the hospital.]

I'll still be here.

[redstray]

[ He knew he would have to leave, but hearing Izumo's reassurance was a big help to ease any anxiety he might have tonight. ]

I'll be here as soon as I can. Goodnight Izumo.

[toremainbehind]

Good night.

[His smile widens slightly.]

Be sure to eat properly, alright?

[redstray]

[ he gives a small pout ]

Only if you get out of here sooner.

[toremainbehind]

As long as I rest properly, I'll be out here soon enough. Now, behave for Totsuka and Fujishima.

[redstray]

I will...

[ The next day, visiting hours open and Eric does not show right away. One hour passes, two, and no sign of anyone in Homra. Not a few hours later in the early afternoon does anyone come to visit him.

Eric looked tired with a small bandage on his hand. Fujishima looked even more so and Totsuka still smiled, but there was tiredness around his eyes as well.]

S-sorry for being late, Izumo. How are you?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo doesn't say anything for a moment as he eyes the trio.

He looks at Fujishima, who immediately looks away from his gaze, and then at Totsuka, who gives him what could appear to be a guilty smile.

Shifting his gaze back at Eric, he blinked slowly.]

I'm fine. What the hell happened to you three?

[redstray]

[ Eric shuffled his feet a bit. ]

Some people, attacked the bar last night, with rocks through the windows... Fujishima was staying on the couch and tried to chase them but they slipped away. Everyone's been looking to see who did it all day...

[toremainbehind]

[His eye twitches at hearing someone attacked his bar - his home.]

There weren't any clues?

[redstray]

[ He shakes his head ]

We couldn't find any...but Mikoto thinks it might be the guys that attacked you. They're targeting all of Homra now.

[toremainbehind]

Hm, is that so.

[Izumo adopts a contemplative look, his eyebrows furrowing.

If those guys are targeting Homra, then it won't be long before they realize he's alive and in the hospital.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Totsuka shake his head, mouthing something at him.]

It's possible they might want to finish the job.

[redstray]

N-no. Would they even come here?

[ They couldn't stay to protect him, he was on his own when the hours were over. If they tried to get in here even now how could they stop them? ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo gives Eric a reassuring smile, hoping it might ease his worries.]

I doubt they'll risk attacking in a public place, and there are a lot of security around. They won't take the risk if it means getting caught.

[redstray]

When you get back, we'll protect you.

[ He's full of stubborn determination, to keep his brother safe. ]

A lot of the others are going to be staying over, with shifts, to keep an eye out if they try it again.

[toremainbehind]

I'll be depending on you guys then.

[It's something if Izumo says that since he's not the type of person to ever worry about himself or have others worry about him.]

[redstray]

[ He should be used to having at least one worried person since they were sitting right in front of him. ]

The bar...is going to need new windows...

[toremainbehind]

[One person is enough; he's used to Eric worrying about him.

But at the mention of the broken windows, he just looks crestfallen, remembering how hard he worked just to get it specially imported.] Seems like I'll need to find some new windows then; maybe I'll make it shatter-proof or something.

[redstray]

[ He looks down a bit, feeling bad that the windows were broken. Izumo had loved them and talked about the for days as they came in. ]

We put in paper and tape where the holes were. Keeps out the wind but...We'll make sure hey won't hurt them anymore.