[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]

Mm, glad to know we'll be in good hands.

[If there's something off in his tone, he doesn't appear to notice it.]

[redstray]

Izumo...are you okay?

[ They see each other after the longest they've been apart and the welcoming was not qhat he thought it would be. He was worried about his brother. ]

[toremainbehind]

Hm?

[He tilts his head, a small smile on his face.] It's nothing. Just wished that our reunion didn't have to involve being in a hospital.

[redstray]

Yeah.

[ He stands up and goes back to Izumo's side, gently taking his hand and squeezing it in comfort. ]

But if your scared or upset...you can be, you know? You don"t have to hide it. I'm gere for you.

[toremainbehind]

...Thank you.

[Izumo squeezes his hand back.

Totsuka claps his hands to draw their attention, saying that he'll work on the paperwork that'll discharge Izumo and then they'll take him home with them.]

[redstray]

You're welcome.

[ As Totsuka leaves, so do Mikoto and Fujishima getting the car and following Totsuka. When they leave, Eric's gentle as he slowly goes closer and leans his forehead on his brother. ]

Love you. We'll get you through this, okay?

[toremainbehind]

Hope you'll manage to bear with me if I get too insufferable. [But the comfort is nice, very welcoming.

It feels like home again.]

[redstray]

You managed to deal with me through everything. To not help you through this I wouldn't be much of a brother.

[toremainbehind]

I'll be depending on you then, Eric.

[redstray]

I'll try my best. You can count on me.

[ He was nervous about it all, he was not used to it but he'lk help his brother. Izumo has done so much for him, he had to prove to himself he can do this. ]

[toremainbehind]

Good to know.

[He gives Eric a genuine smile, but it soon fades when a doctor comes in, followed by Tatara. He listens as the doctor informs them that Izumo's papers are finished and he's allowed to be discharged.]

[redstray]

[ Eric listens as well, understanding enough to get that Izumo was allowed to go home. He squeezed his hand, sliding off of the bed and ready to guide his brother. ]

I'll help you to the car.

[toremainbehind]

[There's a brief pause, a moment of hesitation.

But he grips onto Eric's hand tightly, finally deciding to get out of bed. It's unnerving at first, and he tenses when he feels someone get close to help him]

[redstray]

[ Eric keeps him steady and slow, Totsuka on the other side of Izumo to protect and help him. He kept looking straight ahead to looking at Izumo trying to see what he was thinking and making sure he's okay. ]

It's just me and Totsuka. We're just going through the hospital to the van.

[toremainbehind]

[Totsuka places a hand on Izumo's elbow, a light touch to prevent him from jerking in surprise.

At Eric's words, Izumo does his best to calm down, but he's too wired. His senses are screaming at him to run, run, run, and to attack.

He does his best to fight it, his grip on Eric's hand tightening more to the point it could be hurting him. He doesn't like this.

Being blind, trapped in the dark -- it's bringing back memories, and it's making his breathing harsher as he tries to calm himself.]

[redstray]

[ As the hand tightens on him, Eric winces. It hurt, a lot, but Eric knew Izumo was getting in a spot. He made them stop in a quiet place, switching to English. ]

Izumo, you're not in the dark. I know it might be scary, but you'll be okay. Talk to me, what is it? I'm right here.

[toremainbehind]

It's too dark. I can't—I can't go back.

[It's terrifying. Not once did Izumo ever think that being blind would terrify him, but it does.

It does and it's stabbing at him.

He knows he should talk, to let Eric help him, but he can't.

Too dark, too dark—]

[redstray]

You're not going back. You're going home okay? We're both going home together. Mothing bad is going to happen, you'll be okay Izumo.

[ He looks over at Totsuka for help in which he pitched in, trying to comfort Izumo. Eric was scared, Izumo was the strong one, not the kind that would do something like this. He didn't know what to do. His hand that was still in his hrip tried to rub circles in his brothers hand. He began to hum their song, hoping that it might help. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Home.

That's right, they both have a home now.

It makes Izumo slowly calm down, but still not enough.

He grows quiet, giving a nod, and follows Totsuka as he's led to the car. Going outside of the hospital, Izumo's aware of how noisy it is with his heightened senses. It makes it more disorienting for him.]

[redstray]

[ The car was waiting for them and Eric helped his brother inside the back, being right beside him never letting his hand go. He leaned on him to give support, telling Izumo he was with him. ]

I'm scared of the dark too. But...whenever you came back, no matter how dark the room was, you made it lighter. You made that room a home. It's not the same...but, we're going back home, where there's light no matter what.

[toremainbehind]

Not enough light. Never enough — it'll just burn.

[The cracks are getting deeper, his fears finally slipping through.

His instincts are still screaming again, and he could feel eyes on him. It makes it worse, his body shaking.

He could hear Totsuka say something to him before a hand is placed on his shoulder.

It's fine, calm down. You'll hurt yourself more like this. Deep breaths.

Izumo tries to follow his directions, but it's there.

The look that's screaming at him, one that means that someone is cautious, ready to fight him if he snaps. It's a look of distrust and it makes him bristle up.]

[redstray]

Izumo? Izumo it's okay.

[ Eric was starting to feel it. Izumo's animosity. Mikoto and Fujishima were watching them as well. Eric's hand was losing feeling from how hard the grip was becoming. He wasn't reaching his brother, not as much as he should be. ]

The light is always going to be here now, it's okay. It's never going to go away. Please, calm down, Izumo.

[toremainbehind]

Not okay. It's not okay.

[It's getting worse, but Izumo focuses on Eric's voice.

Calm down.

Calm down.

There were too many people watching him, and it's making him want to lash out, but he struggles and tries to loosen his grip on Eric's hand.]

[redstray]

It is okay. We're together and we have people that care about us. We have a home with friends.

[ He wasn't sure what would work but when he felt the grip on his hand lessen, he shook it off if only to wrap his arms around Izumo, giving him a hug. He held him tight, trying to ground him some how. ]

You're doing good, Izumo. Just deep breaths, I'm here, okay? You'll be okay.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo bites his tongue, refusing to let the words slip from his mouth at what he wanted to say.

When Eric hugs him, he doesn't fight him, leaning against him. He closes his eyes—

Darkness, an all consuming darkness threatening to swallow him whole.

It's trying to devour him.

A hand touches his head, and he tenses. Then he hears Mikoto's voice, a low grumble that can barely be heard, and Izumo realized that Totsuka must've switched with him in order to contain him better.

He stiffens at the thought, his jaw clenching.]