[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]

[What's happening?

Eric is shouting now, his screams piercing through the air.

But Izumo's aware of Mikoto's presence now, a blur in his mind's eye. Unseeing eyes turn in Mikoto's direction and there it is again.

The voices are urging him on, and the blur that is Mikoto blends into the darkness.

He feels trapped, chained, and he finally lashes out at his friend.]

[redstray]

IZUMO STOP!!

[ They had to stop this fight. He had to stop it right now. The longer it goes on the worse it will be. Mikoto may be on par if not a bit better then his brother, but that meant nothing.

If Izumo stayed in this state for too long he might get stuck in it. He can't lose his brother, he just can't.

It doesn't take much to get out of Fujishima's grip and he runs towards the two fighting. He sees an opening and grabs hold of one of his brothers arm with two of his own. To either get Izumo to stop a hit or to help Mikoto to land a hit, he didn't know.

He didn't want to see his brother like this. He had to stop it, he can do it. ]

Izumo calm down! Mikoto is just trying to help, don't fight! It'll be okay, I promise.

[toremainbehind]

[A snarl escapes from Izumo, tugging on his captured arm.

The darkness is casting illusions now, his mind playing tricks on him.

Yet, even in this state, he can't hurt Eric — he'd kill himself first if he ever harmed his brother.

But the urge is still strong, snarls and growls escaping from him. He can hear the others' voices, calling out in concern, but his mind is focused on the man in front of him.

He has to fight.

He has to.

Fight. Fight. Fight.

He hears their mocking laughter, whispers of them telling him that Mikoto will hurt Eric, too.

They can't be trusted.

The cracks continue to grow deeper.]

[redstray]

[ The snarl alone makes shivers run up Eric's spine. He's terrified, nothing he can do can reach him anymore. Yet he still wasn't harming him physically.

Mikoto approaches as Eric struggles to keep hold of one of his arms. If Mikoto came on this side, he could knock him out more easily.

Eric was in between his brother and Mikoto, one arm still firmly in grasp. The wager that Izumo wouldn't go through his own brother to get to the other was slim, but it was the only way.

Mikoto raise his arm, ready with a punch aimed for Izumo's head. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo can feel someone get close, and it's making his instincts flare up to protect Eric.

But his brother isn't letting him go. He's not letting him fight.

Before he can do anything else, he feels something hard connect with his head, successfully making him unconscious.]

[redstray]

[ Eric tries his best to hold Izumo when he goes limp, and Mikoto is not too far behind grabbing his other arm. He feels a hand on his head but it doesn't bring any comfort.

He failed. He failed in helping Izumo. He was in so much pain and all he could do was watch. He was a bad brother. Not even a brother, just a dog whose failed at helping someone he cared about.

Totsuka began to lead him back to the car,Fujishima and Mikoto carrying Izumo back as well.

They were heading to Izumo's home first. To grab some of his things and let him rest. Hoping he would be mildly stable when he woke up to continue back to the bar, back to their real home.

As they go in and set Izumo on his bed, Eric can't move. He can't go in there. He had no right being with his brother. Fujishima tried to coax him inside but all he could do was shake his head. He curled up on the floor beside the couch, his thoughts making him hide inside himself.

He was a bad brother, a useless one. Bad dog, bad dog. Had no right, no right to have a big brother. He couldn't help, he could never help him. He just used him to make himself feel better but couldn't even help bring Izumo back. Bad dog, worthless dog. ]

[toremainbehind]

[The nightmares are back.

Endless memories, dreams of seeing his brother die.

He killed Eric.

They taunt him, sneering at him.

You failed. You failed to protect him. You killed him.

You killed Eric.

It's not long before he wakes up, a scream escaping from him and he feels someone holding him down. It's Mikoto, but Izumo can't focus.

Where's Eric? Where's Eric?

He's demanding his brother, hearing Totsuka run outside while Mikoto urges him to calm down before he hurts himself. But there's a buzzing in his ears, blocking him out.

He needs his brother.

Izumo needs to make sure Eric isn't dead.]

[redstray]

[ He hears Izumo screaming as Totsuka comes out of the room, telling him to come in the room. He was needed.

He gets up and goes into the room, hearing his name amd Izumo sounded absolutely terrified.

He goes to the bed and places a hand on his brother. ]

Izumo I'm here. It's okay. I'm right here. You're okay.

[toremainbehind]

Eric?

[Mikoto is still holding onto him, but when Eric came close, he pulled back a little.

Izumo furrows his eyebrows, lifting a hand but hesitates when he realizes he's not sure if it's really Eric who's touching him.]

[redstray]

Yeah, it's me. It's your brother.

[ He takes the hand that had been lifted and grasped it tightly with his own. ]

I'm right here. Not going to let you go.

[toremainbehind]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I couldn't protect you.

[redstray]

Wha...what are you talking about? I'm fine.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo shakes his head.

How could he tell Eric that he killed him?

His shaking becomes noticed by Mikoto, who places a hand on his shoulder, his grip tight just in case he lashes out again.]

[redstray]

Izumo it's true I'm okay. Nothing's happened.

[ He sees the shaking and places
his forehead on his brother, trying, hoping something would work. ]

Izumo we're both okay. No one is hurt we are all okay.

[toremainbehind]

[Okay, they're okay.

They're not hurt.

Eric's words finally sinks in and he slumps against his brother, his body weary and his mind finally clearing up.]

[redstray]

[ The slump causes Eric to jump in surprise but he holds his brother all the same. He stares at Mikoto who only nods and leaves the room, giving the two privacy. ]

I'm...I'm going to go on the bed okay? It's just me.

[ Slowly, he moves his body onto the bed curling up beside Izumo still holding him. He used his free hand to pet his hair, trying anything to reach him a bit more. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo waits, listening and soon sensing mikoto's departure from the room.

It was just him and Eric now, and it's comforting.

At the same time, terrifying.

He doesn't react, simply going along with Eric and allowing his brother to pet his hair.]

[redstray]

[ It's soft and quiet but Eric starts to sing their song. It has worked so many times for him if it worked just once for his brother, let it be now. ]

[toremainbehind]

[He's quiet, listening to their song.

It's comforting.

And soon enough, he'll start singing along once he's feeling calm enough.]

[redstray]

[ When he heard Izumo sing along he smiled, tears streaming down his face in relief. His brother was still there, still here with him. He continued to sing slightly choked as he held his brother. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Its not long before Izumo's voice fades, having finally calmed down enough to fall asleep again.]

[redstray]

[ When he hears Izumo's breathing steadying he's happy, so happy. Izumo was calm now. Him...was another story.

He quietly cried, no noise to wake up his brother. He was good at that, he used to do this so often, staying so quiet to let his brother rest. But enough to cry out his worries and fears. He was terrified. So scared of losing his brother again. He couldn't, couldn't lose him again.

After a few minutes his tiredness won him over and he too, fell asleep, holding his brother as if his life depended on it. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Morning rolls around and Izumo wakes up first.

There's a slight panic at seeing nothing until he remembers his situation.

He hears Totsuka talking to him quietly, greeting him.]

[redstray]

[ As soon as Totsuka speaks, Eric jolts from his sleep, not fully awake. ]

I-Izumo...is staying. He's staying don't...

[ He grabs hold of Izumos arm and squeezes it, making sure hes there and he stays. ]

[toremainbehind]

It's okay, Eric. I'm here.

[His words are backed up by Totsuka, who assures them he won't try to take Izumo away.]