[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

[toremainbehind]

[When Izumo is finished killing everyone, he decides to eliminate all traces by burning everything to the ground; after double-checking that both Eric and Mikoto has escaped first.

He returns to Homra some time later, covered in blood, and it has everyone both wary and concerned about him - not that it stopped Fujishima from trying to scold Izumo for making Eric worry.

Izumo takes the scolding calmly, only giving Fujishima a look and a nod before Totsuka comes over to check on him, the sight of the blood too much and already staining his clothes.]

[redstray]

[ Eric doesn't stir as he's taken back to Homra, nor does he move as he's treated. It's only a couple of days later that he slowly lifts his eyelids halfway.

The world spins and it's foggy but he tries to reach out a sluggish hand, trying to grab something that wasn't there. His body was so heavy he couldn't even think of moving it. He also felt pain and he vaguely knew in his clouded state moving made the pain worse.

It took a long while before his moving lips and jaw made any kind of noise. He couldn't complete thoughts, or manage words but he still wanted to speak. ]

...a..aah...

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo has stayed by Eric's side during the entire time he's been unconscious, taking care not to jostle him too much.

The others, mostly Totsuka, tried to get him to eat, but Izumo refuses to budge from his spot. He's quiet the entire time, having changed from his clothes as he didn't want Eric to wake up to a sight of him covered in blood.

But his attention is immediately caught when Eric moves.]

Eric?

[redstray]

[ He vaguely hears something and he strains enough to hear that it's his name. There was someone there and in his fogged state, a voice inside his head told him to run, hide, get away.

But...he focused as best as he could and saw the familiar face of his brother.

He smiled lightly, his hand trying to make its way over to him. It seemed like it was crawling on the bed but it was the best he could do. ]

I...Izu...Izu...

[ His mouth keeps moving a bit but no more sound comes out. The world was still foggy and everything felt so heavy. But he wanted to be awake, be with his brother. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo gently takes his hand, his other hand running fingers through Eric's hair.

Eric's awake — weak, but awake.]

I'm here, Eric. Don't push yourself. I'll be right here.

[redstray]

[ He nods out an okay, closing his eyes as he feels Izumo petting his hair. For a while he was happy. His brother was by his side

Then the closed eyes tightly shut further and his weak hand tries to tighten itself on Izumo's. He was on fire, his whole body started lighting up and he let out a weak whimper. ]

N-no...aa...

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo feels the tightening of his hand, and it clicks in his mind what's going on with his brother.

He's quick to adjust Eric to a more comfortable position, helping him keep off his burns. Turning his head, he calls Totsuka over to help him.]

[redstray]

[ The new touch makes him want to scream, it wasn't his brother. He was going to be hurt. His senses calm as he vaguely registers it's Totsuka. The relief his body feels soon after makes him relax, the pain numbing. It was still there but it wasn't as bad, more tolerable.

He turns his head gently to look at his brother, his hand not leaving Izumo's. ]

W-wha...wha....why...

[toremainbehind]

Get some more rest. Your body is still healing.

[He continues to run his fingers through Eric's hair, already beginning to hum in hopes it'll continue to calm him.

When Totsuka's done, he nods to him, watching Totsuka leave quietly.]

[redstray]

[ Hearing that, along with the humming and petting, makes Eric close his eyes in tired bliss. ]

Mmm But...wha...what happened?

[ His memory was in a fog, nothing that happened recently coming to mind even though it was there. He couldn't grasp it, couldn't comprehend anything his mind tried to bring forward.]

[toremainbehind]

I'll tell you once you're better. I don't want to risk you relapsing now that you're awake.

[redstray]

Mmm..promise?

[ Even as he says this he begins to nod off. To hear Izumo's reply or not he doen't know, as he's back asleep. ]

[toremainbehind]

[He smiles softly, waiting for Eric to fall back to sleep.

Sighing softly, he mulls over his choices, knowing he has to tell Eric the truth as to what happened to him soon enough.]

[redstray]

[ The next time he wakes up, he's more focused, the world wasn't turning as badly and his body didn't feel as heavy.

Eric felt this strange ache all over his body, especially on his lower back. Nothing pieced together as his memories jumbled as he tried to explain why he was feeling this weird.

Still, he tried to reach out, instincts always looking to find his brother. His vision still trying to be fixed to 100% ]

Izu...Izumo?

[toremainbehind]

[The next time he's awake, Izumo is still beside him, though this time, Fujishima is with him as well.

After the two got over their differences (somewhat), they both agreed to never mention what happened to Eric about their confrontation.

It might just hurt Eric more.

But he reaches out and takes Eric's hand, squeezing it lightly.] I'm here, Eric.

[redstray]

[ He squeezes his hand right back, noticing Fujishima and tilted his head. There was a bandage on his head. Why?

He shakes his head trying to clear it from the fog that still clung to his memories.]

Hospital...you weren't...in your room in the hospital. You weren't there...you should still be there...

[toremainbehind]

[Fujishima waves at him from his spot by the door.

Izumo hums softly, watching Eric carefully to see if there's any signs he should be aware of.]

I'm fine. My injuries are healed up.

You, on the other hand, need to be careful. You're more hurt than I am.

[redstray]

What are you...

[ They walked out of the hospital, those guys, that van. The fire and the pain. The pain...he began to shake, remembering more about what had happened. His grip on his brother's hand grew as tightly as he could manage.

He felt pain on his back...a present...his body was aching from the aftermath. So many cuts and bruises, he couldn't move without feeling something. ]

What did they do?

[toremainbehind]

They burned you.

[There's venom in his voice as he recalls seeing the injuries, seeing his brother's burned flesh and taking care not to agitate the burns any further.]

And then they proceeded to drug you.

[He notices Fujishima shifting almost uncomfortably as his tone got deeper. Izumo's not one to let his emotions slip, always one to be careful. But seeing what they did to his brother, it made Izumo finally snap.

He could still feel their blood on his hands, hear their screams as he burned them all alive.]

[redstray]

[ Burned? Drugged? He remembered as he heard those words, though not a lot was visual, mostly feelings of fear and pain. Things being craved into his flesh. That was probably helped by whatever they had drugged him with.

He hears the tone in his brother's voice and worry over him came through. He didn't have to wonder how he was at the bar when he had been kidnapped, Izumo's look was more then enough. Guilt clenched his stomach. ]

Are you okay, Izumo?

[toremainbehind]

I'm fine. [He breathes out, hoping it'll help dispel the tension building in his shoulders.

Turning his head, he gives Fujishima a look that has the other nodding and slipping out of the room.

Izumo turns back to Eric, a faint smile on his face.]

I'm just relieved you're finally awake.

[redstray]

I'm sorry...

[ For getting caught, for having Izumo use his instincts to kill again, for worrying him, for everything. ]

How long...was I out? Everything is pretty fuzzy...

[ He had a hard time with recent memories right now. How long ago was that day when Izumo left the hosptial? It only felt a few hours ago but it could've been a few months and he wouldn't have any idea. ]

[toremainbehind]

A couple of days, but they gave you a strong dosage of the drug, so you'll still be feeling out of it.

[He places a hand on Eric's head.]

We've been trying to figure out what kind of drug they gave you, but there's been nothing yet.

Right now, though, you must be feeling dehydrated. Think you can stomach some water?

[redstray]

Mmm...dammit.

[ He didn't like feeling like this. It was like he was wearing this slow suit that it took seconds for his body to respond to something.

At the mention of water he licked his lips, realizing just how thristy he was. He nodded his head. ]

Water sounds wonderful.

[toremainbehind]

[A soft chuckle escapes from him, but he turns to where the water pitcher and a glass of water is sitting on the bedside table.

He pours Eric a glass of water first before helping Eric sit up straight.]

Don't drink too fast, okay?