[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 frowned when he didn't feel Izumo's hand anymore, but it didn't feel like he got more cream. ]

Guess that is bad. At least it's just on my back.

[toremainbehind]

It'll be easier to hide.

[Finishing applying the cream, he pulls back and hands it back to Fujishima, accepting the towelette he's given.

He wipes his hands from the cream before going to help Eric put his shirt back on.]

[redstray]

Not that it really matters...

[He doesn't care that he has burns visible or not. Shuffling back into the shirt, some words slid into his head foggy but clear at the same time. ]

...They said it was a present for my title...because Homra liked using fire...

[toremainbehind]

Did they now?

[Izumo's fingers twitches, the urge to smoke becoming strong.

He eventually smiles, though.] Well, we don't need to worry about them anymore.

[redstray]

Ah...yeah.

[ The world was fading a bit again but came back. His eyes wandered over to Fujishima who was giving his brother a look he couldn't figure out. Was something wrong? Were they still not liking each other? ]

Has, anything been happening?

[toremainbehind]

[If Izumo sees the look Fujishima's giving him, he doesn't react to it. He barely acknowledges it at all.

He shakes his head at the question.]

Not really. I'll be back, though, so Fujishima's going to keep you company.

[redstray]

[ Fujishima takes the chair that Izumo had been using, stopping his look to smile at Eric. He looks at his brother, feeling like he was missing something, something important. But if it was, Izumo would tell him, so he just had to have faith in his brother. ]

Okay...come back soon.

[toremainbehind]

I will.

[Izumo and Fujishima share a look before the former turns away in order to leave the room.

He's unsurprised to see Totsuka and Mikoto outside, but he simply turns away from them in order to go downstairs.]

[redstray]

[ He sighed, feeling like he was missing something. The world spun a bit but he caught himself. Looking at Fujishima he noticed he was moving his mouth...was he talking? ]

S-sorry...I didn't...didn't catch...

[ He tubbed his eyes as he fell forward, being caught by the red head and felt his hair being petted. He tried to open his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He couln't even telll if his eyes were open or not. He heard Fujishima say sleep and he was nore then willing to oblige.]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo's doing work, calling in everything and everyone to have his bar fixed.

With its current state, it's amazing Izumo hasn't let off more steam.

However, after he's calmed down and had a talk with Mikoto, he returns to his post by Eric's bedside. He sees his brother sleeping, simply nodding to Fujishima in greeting. He listens to the redhead as he talks, only giving a nod to show he understood.

By the next time Eric awakens, there's a tray of food on the bedside table and Izumo's playing with his lighter.]

[redstray]

[ Everything focuses a bit better then before, a bit faster. Eric even remembers where he is and what happened before. It's going to take some time to get whatever is in his system out, but he'll manage. He always has.

He sees his brother in thought and a tray of food. his stomach makes an odd noise that can only be thought of as hunger.

He begins to grab something from the food tray but hears the click of the lighter and freezes. His eyes wide and he tries to shuffle back a bit away from the lighter. He hisses in pain, and stops but still stares at the small item. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Pausing upon seeing Eric shuffle away quickly, Izumo puts away his lighter.]

Eric, calm down. It's me - I won't hurt you.

[redstray]

[ He looks up at his brother and it registers. He shakes his head, shuffling back to where he was before. ]

S-sorry I know...it was just a small thing...

[ He grabbed a piece of fruit and nibbled on it. ]

Just a quick...it was just a flash, I know you won't hurt me.

[toremainbehind]

[A soft sound escapes from him, a brief wonder of why Eric's using English before he remembers that they often switch to that language when either of them is suffering.

But he's pleased to see Eric eating.]

Even so, it's best for me to be careful so that I don't accidentally trigger anything.

[redstray]

[ He hadn't really realized he was speaking English, but it was an easier language that he could communicate in with his brain being messed up. It came out more naturally right now. ]

I'll be fine, really. You do too much for me already.

[toremainbehind]

I'm your brother. It's only natural for me.

[redstray]

Also my job to not let you worry.

[ He finishes the piece and reaches for another, but the world spins and his arm falls short as he tries to regain composure. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo's quick to steady him, holding onto his arm and keeping him upright.

Once he's sure Eric's stable enough, he moves the tray so that it's on Eric's lap.]

Well, not much you can do about that one. I've told you before that I'll always worry about you.

[redstray]

[ He looks down, guilty for feeling so damn weak and useless. It seems like it happened all the time, no matter what.

He takes another piece once the tray is on his lap. ]

I know, and I do too.

[toremainbehind]

[Patting his shoulder, Izumo sits down again, looking thoughtful.

Clasping his hands together, he stares down at it before he looks up at his brother, a frown evident on his face.]

We need to talk, Eric.

[redstray]

[ He shifts a bit uncomfortably in his bed when he sees that look. He was worried now as he gripped the sheets. ]

What's wrong?

[toremainbehind]

Just...don't get upset, okay? I know I should tell you when you're better, but I've been advised to tell you now.

[And it's not easy for Izumo to say it either.

How do you tell your brother they need to be apart for a little bit?]

[redstray]

Why would I get upset? Why, what's going on?

[ That just increases his worries but he shoves them down. This was serious and he needed to be calm. Izumo needed his help so he'll give it. ]

Just tell me, I won't get upset. What do you want to talk about, Izumo?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo focuses on his hands, not once allowing his emotions to show and not giving even the slightest hint as to what he's thinking.

Finally, he breathes out slowly, eyes sliding shut before he opens them to look at Eric.]

The two of us...

We've been through together a lot, and because of what we've been through, we grew to become dependent on each other. We're each other's weaknesses and each other's strengths, but that dependency is a double-edged sword that if we're not careful, both of us will simply continue to get hurt even more.

Due to the nature of our relationship, it's reached a point where others will take advantage of it and will hurt us both.

That's why... [He pauses, hesitant.]

[redstray]

[ He looked at his brother, confused. He didn't understand, what was he talking about? He started rubbing his hands on the sheets. ]

W-what? I don't...I don't get it. What do you mean?