[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]

[The fidgeting earns Eric a curious look, but he doesn't push on it.

Instead, he just leaves it there.]

Ah, it's been busy. Honami's stopped by yesterday, though.

[redstray]

[ He tries to show he's okay by giving a small smile but it leaves his face as soon as it's on there.

At the mention of Honami he tenses ever so slightly. ]

She did, huh? What did she want?

[toremainbehind]

[Ah, strained smiles.

Izumo expected that.]

She just wanted to come visit. She's gotten fond of Anna, so she comes to visit her at times.

[redstray]

[ His eyes are down, avoiding whatever look his brother was or will be placing on him. ]

That's good...Anna needs more friends.

[toremainbehind]

[He pats Eric's head once before pulling his hand back.]

Anna's been asking for you, too.

[redstray]

She has? Why?

[toremainbehind]

She said she wants to talk to you. It's been a while.

[redstray]

Oh, okay. She can talk to me anytime. I'm not busy or anything. It would be nice, to talk to her again.

[toremainbehind]

I'll be sure to give her your number.

[He glances at Fujishima and Totsuka to see if it was alright, and they both nod in approval.]

[redstray]

Okay, thanks.

[ He sees the nod the two of them make, confused as to why but leaves it alone. ]

Totsuka said your sessions are getting better.

[toremainbehind]

Just don't be surprised if she brings something random up.

[Because Anna is like that. She's blunt, just like Mikoto at times.

At the mention of his sessions, he shifts a bit, looking sheepish.]

They are; though, I still have my moments.

[redstray]

Like what?

[ He tilts his head, not that he really cared but it seemed strange to bring up. ]

They're improving, that's all that really matters, right?

[ Not that he's one to talk. ]

[toremainbehind]

Anything. She once asked me if I was dating Mikoto.

[Which was awkward to say the least, and neither Izumo nor Mikoto were able to fully get over it.

Totsuka had a good laugh for weeks.]

What about you?

[redstray]

[ He blinked ]

You mean you aren't?

[ He said it teasingly enough, they were quite close, but his brother had a hard time with affection, and they seemed like good friends anyways. Eric wouldn't care either way, his brother was his brother. ]

What about me?

[toremainbehind]

You know I don't swing that way, and Mikoto's practically in a relationship with food and sleep, anyway.

[He gets the teasing often enough. Everyone already jokes that he and Mikoto are a married couple with how they run things.]

How have you been doing?

[redstray]

I know. It's just kind of funny.

[ He knows his brother. But it was fun teasing him every once in awhile almost felt normal.

He nods a few times, even though Fujishima was giving him a worrying look that he couldn't see. ]

I'm good, doing real good.

[toremainbehind]

If you're not careful, people might think you and Fujishima are together.

[Eric didn't see it, but Izumo does.

He gives Fujishima a look that the other understands, giving a slight and subtle nod.]

That's good to hear.

[redstray]

Really? Why?

[ Just because it was a light tease, Eric didn't understand how him and Fujishima could be seen as together. They were just friends, he couldn't figure it out.

He had to change the subject a bit so he perks up and tries to look a bit more excited. ]

I've been cooking a lot more. Do you want me to make dinner again?

[toremainbehind]

Because the two of you are close.

[His words earn an embarrassed sound from a blushing Fujishima and a laugh from Totsuka.

Izumo smiles.]

Sure, I love to eat your cooking, Eric. What do you have in mind?

[redstray]

[ He looks to Fujishima and sees the blush, tilting his head as the red head got redder in his face. He blinked before slinking off the stool and towards the kitchen. He didn't pay it any mind what his friend was doing. ]

Udon. With beef and vegetables.

[toremainbehind]

[His smile widens as he watches Fujishima get redder.

Oh, this'll be fun.

His attention shifts back to Eric, and he moves to get off the stool.]

Sounds good. Do you need any help?

[redstray]

[ He sees his brother smile and raises his eyebrows a bit in question before shaking his head. ]

I can do it. But, if I need help...I'll ask.

[ And with that he disappears into the kitchen and starts getting everything ready, hearing Totsuka cheer him on and wishing him luck. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo nods, watching Eric disappear into the kitchen before he turns his attention to Fujishima.

Seeing the younger man still looking embarrassed had him snickering, but he decides to push the matter aside for now.

There'll always be more time to tease the poor man later.]

[redstray]

[ Eric gets to work, being careful and a bit slow. But hes determined to make a good meal for his brother and his friends. The kitchen wasn't as scary as it had been when he first started and he knew where things were by now.

Half hour or so later, Eric comes out with a tray of four steaming bowls of udon. He's careful as he can be carrying them over to the other three and slowly places it on the counter.

Eric looks a little but happier, a little more proud as he places the bowls in front of everyone. He can do something useful to help everyone, and he kind of enjoyed doing it. ]

Dinner's ready.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo's been talking to Totsuka and Fujishima, eyebrows furrowing as Fujishima reports Eric's condition to him.

It's gotten easier for Izumo to notice Eric's habits, but all three of them know it wouldn't be any good to bring it up. Eric doesn't notice it; in fact, he seems to do it on a subconscious level.

That worries Izumo greatly, though he hides it well.

He smiles when Eric returns, the smile widening at seeing the bright expression on his brother's face.]

It smells good.