[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]

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?

[toremainbehind]

[Getting to his feet, Izumo sits on the edge of the bed instead, holding Eric's hand loosely as he stares down at their now linked hands.

He could vividly recall Totsuka's words and Mikoto's looks.

The more you two are with each other, the more you both get hurt.

There's nothing wrong with you guys being dependent on each other, but it's reached the point where you two will only continue to get hurt more than help each other.

Izumo tightens his hand a little.]

I mean that, just for a while, the two of us need to separate.

[redstray]

N-no! No no no we don't I'm not...you're not leaving

[ The hand that was free grabbed a hold of Izumo's arm, knocking the food tray on the ground by accident.]

Please we're okay together, its better when we know where the other is. Please no noo no no NO!

[ Tears were starting to form, the thought of being away from Izumo brought back those days in the room, waiting and suffering for the door to open, and it would be his brother. ]

It hurts too much Izumo. It hurts not being near you, please don't say that. I don't want to separate. Please...please...it's lie...say you're lying.

[toremainbehind]

[He immediately tugs Eric into a hug, being mindful of his burns.

Lowering his head, he presses their foreheads together, feeling guilt form in the pit of his stomach upon seeing the tears forming in his brother's eyes.

It made him feel terrible, his whole world crashing around him because he can't go through with it either, but he knows he has to.

He's reaching his limit, and one more button pushed will have him hurting even Eric, and he has to prevent that.]

I'm sorry, Eric. We'll still keep in touch, but we can't stay in the same place as each other for a while.

I'll be here with you until you're healed enough.

Fujishima and the others will take care of you for me while I'm gone.

[redstray]

[ He clings to him and shuts his eyes.

It was his fault. It was all his fault he got caught. That was what was making Izumo push him away. He was bad bad badbad! If he was good, Izumo would stay. ]

Please, please I'll be good. I won't bother you. I'll stay in my room I promise. Please I won't get caught again, I'll be good I swear.

[ He was trembling, sobbing now. He couldn't do it. He had to be a good kid, a good boy. ]

I don't want them I want you, Izumo. Don't leave me big brother.

[toremainbehind]

Eric, it's not your fault.

[The sobbing and the trembling were piercing through Izumo's heart, the reaction causing him to become more hesitant in his decision to leave.]

I won't be gone forever, but both of us need this.

You're never a bother to me, and you never will be, but this is something both of us have to do.

[redstray]

Please please please please please please...

[ He kept repeating it. Kept trying, he had to. He wasn't ready for whatever he was saying.

But in the end, he becomes quiet and his crying stops. He still kept clinging to his brother but his mantra was done. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo holds Eric close, refusing to let go of him.

He didn't want to go, he doesn't want to go.

Looking over when he hears the door creak open, Izumo sees Totsuka and Fujishima peering inside cautiously. There's concern on their faces, but Izumo mouths something at them that has Totsuka opening the door a bit wider, announcing his presence to them.]

[redstray]

[ Eric doesn't look, doesn't register anything that's happening. He keeps his grip on Izumo, ignoring them.

Were they the ones that made Izumo think this stupid thought? Were they really not trustworthy after all? They promised they would always be together and then they came by. He thought maybe they could expand their family but it seemed like it was being torn apart instead.

He hid his face in Izumo's neck. He didn't want to see them. ]

[toremainbehind]

[He runs his fingers through Eric's hair, hoping it would calm him somehow.]

Eric, it's okay.

[Totsuka echoes the sentiment, but is evidently unwilling to come closer.

Izumo gives them a nod, giving Fujishima a look when the other man took a step closer.]

They can be trusted.

[redstray]

...It's not okay.

[ He didn't move from where he was. The home they had promised each other was gone. The were suppose to be in peace, not have to worry about any of the stuff that was happening now.

He felt the heaviness come back in a wave but he pushed it down, being supported by his brother helping. He wasn't going to move. He didn't want to see his so called friends. ]

go away...

[toremainbehind]

[The two look confused as to what's being said, but Izumo merely signals them to quiet.

When they got the message, Totsuka and Fujishima quietly leave, leaving the two brothers alone once more.

On instinct, Izumo begins to hum, gently rocking them back and forth, hoping it will continue to calm Eric down somewhat.]

[redstray]

[ He hears them leave and his stomach twists, feeling guilty for making them leave when they came by but he was upset. He didn't know what to do.

He tries one last time, his grip slipping and growing weak. He had to close his eyes, the rocking making things worse even though it was comforting. ]

Please don't leave. Don't leave me.

[toremainbehind]

[He stops when he notices Eric getting weak, his humming slowly coming to a halt as well.

Shifting a bit, Izumo starts to pull away from him.]

I won't leave you - not forever, but please trust me on this, Eric. I hate this decision, too, but it has to be done.

[redstray]

[ He whimpered a bit as he was pulled away, shivering a bit. He goes to lie back down, his eyes closed. He didn't want to talk about it anymore, didn't want to deal with it. He wasn't leaving yet. ]

What were they doing here?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo gently makes sure Eric's comfortable, tucking him in properly, and sitting on the edge of the bed as he gently swipes Eric's bangs to the side]

They wanted to come and check up on you.