[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 like him well enough - he's good for you. I just haven't learned to completely trust him enough.

[He shifts a bit, almost wanting a cigarette, but he doesn't want to smoke around Eric.]

Isn't it the same as your feelings for Mikoto and Totsuka?

[redstray]

You trust him enough to let me stay with hi and to be someone I talk to. Seems like a lot.

[ He gives a loose shrug. ]

Totsuka, I don't mind much. Mikoto...is still scary. But, they both deal with you well enough, they keep you in check better then I could.

[toremainbehind]

You like him, which means I can trust him enough to let you stay with him.

[It's a weird brotherly instinct.]

Hmm, I suppose they do. It's like how Fujishima is able to deal with you better than I can.

[redstray]

I guess so...

[ He shakes his head. ]

You deal with me better. Not that he's bad but...you calm me down faster and make me snap out of whatever I get into...

[toremainbehind]

In time, he'll be the one to calm you down almost as fast as I can.

[His eyes shift over when he hears Totsuka coming back, hands filled with plates and Fujishima follows after him while carrying a tray of cupcakes.]

[redstray]

Just like how Totsuka and Mikoto can knock you out of things?

[ He follows his brothers gaze and sees the cupcakes, raising an eyebrow as he tilts his head. Was there some kind of occasion he forgot? ]

What are those for?

[toremainbehind]

That's right; though, hopefully Fujishima won't need to use physical force against you.

[He chuckles.]

They're actually for you, little brother.

[redstray]

That...would be bad.

[ He looked at his brother, back to the cupcakes, then back to his brother. ]

...Why?

[toremainbehind]

Just hope it won't get that far.

[A chuckle escapes from him and he steers Eric towards them.]

Wel, Totsuka wanted to do something for you.

[redstray]

[ He follows along and looks at the cupcakes. They looked and smelled delicious, they must have just come out of the oven. ]

My question still stands, why?

[toremainbehind]

Because it's a special day, Eric.

[He grins slightly, finding it somewhat amusing.]

Totsuka made up a holiday just for us.

[redstray]

A holiday? For what?

[toremainbehind]

National brother day.

[redstray]

[ He chuckles a bit at that but there's still a smile ]

Sounds...like something Totsuka would make.

[toremainbehind]

Exactly. Be sure to humor him, okay?

[redstray]

I'll try.

[ Totsuka went on about how he had worked hard on this special occasion, and he wanted the brothers to know they weren't alone, and that they needed each other among other things.

Eric accepts a cupcake from Fujishima, thanking him and grabbing another one. He thanks Totsuka as well for the effort, it was nice.

He walked backed over to his brother and handed him one of the brotherly cupcakes. ]

Here you go.

[toremainbehind]

[He listens on in amusement as Totsuka explains what he did, shaking his head a bit.

It was amusing to see Totsuka running around, though he didn't quite appreciate the younger destroying his kitchen in the process.

His eyes shifted over to Eric when he comes over, accepting the cupcake with a smile.]

Thank you.

[redstray]

They're good

[ He takes another bite of it, it was really good, Totsuka outdid himself. It was talking now, and some laughing. It was an enjoyable time that Eric enjoyed as much as he could

He knows time's going by, he was going to have to head back to Fujishima's soon. But before that he turns to his brother ]

Izumo?

[toremainbehind]

[It was a relief for Izumo to see Eric having an enjoyable time.

He knew that they'll still have trouble in the future, but with his brother now aware of his unconscious behavior, it should be able to help his brother heal more.

Izumo knows that in the end, he'd have to seek out the same help.

But he turns to look at Eric, fingers already curled around a cigarette he had managed to take from Mikoto when the redhead joined them.]

Hmm?

[redstray]

Ah...well.

[ He fidgets a bit with the cupcake paper. It was a little weird to say, but he felt he needed to get it out at some point.

They will both heal, with only scars to show what had happened to them. It will take a while, but they can get there. ]

I'm just glad...that you're my brother...that's all...

[toremainbehind]

[Surprise flickers briefly in Izumo's eyes, but then he smiles.

A low chuckle escapes from him as he places a hand on top of Eric's head.]

I'm glad you're my brother, too.

[redstray]

[ His face feels a bit red as he feels his brother's hand on his head, but he gives a small smile all the same. ]

T-thanks...

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo smiles, ruffling his hair lightly before pulling his hand back.]

[redstray]

[ There was a bit more of a party, before Fujishima mentioned heading back home soon. It was getting late. ]

Ah...yeah.

[ It was another start, they've had many ever since they left that place. Eric was going to have to figure out a lot of things that he didn't even know he had.

He looked up to his brother. ]

You're going to be okay while I'm gone, Izumo?

[ He should be saying that too ]

[toremainbehind]

[There were so many starts, but none of them had ever managed to reach the end.

Now?

Now it's time to make sure to see it all through. So, he smiles, giving Eric a nod.]

I will be. Will you be okay?