[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

[redstray]

[ Eric perks up slightly at the sound of the humming as faint as it was. The familiar ache and heaviness of weakness in his body makes him shut his eyes in annoyance. It didn't want him to get up, but he at least moved a bit to hear the humming a bit better, humming a little himself. ]

[toremainbehind]

[If Izumo hears the faintest sound of humming above, it doesn't make him stop.

Instead, he continues to hum, the lyrics eventually being sung softly.]

[redstray]

[ His body protests but he still leaves the bed. The song almost like a siren guiding him down, promising comfort.

He stops before he enters the room Izumo is in, peeking out and listening quietly, his eyes closed as he mouths the words. ]

[toremainbehind]

[His senses alerts him to a presence, but he recognizes it soon enough as it's Eric.

He keeps singing, knowing the lullaby will help his brother relax. It's their song, after all, and Izumo has sung it many times before for Eric whenever he's feeling stressed or afraid.]

[redstray]

[ Eric sings softly along, not as well and not every note, but a little. At the end he pops his head out and a bit more until he's halfway between the doorway and the room he was in. His hand gripping the wall, almost ready to bolt back into his room but too tired to do it very well. ]

...

[toremainbehind]

[He smiles slightly upon seeing the other. Noticing the hesitation, Izumo simply pays the space next to him.]

Wanna keep me company?

[redstray]

[ He doesn't move until the invitation. When he hears it it almost brings him to tears as he nods. He walks quickly to the couch and almost tackles himself into his brother, curling up on the couch. ]

I'm sorry...'m so sorry

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo shifts a bit so that Eric's against him more comfortably, placing a hand on top of Eric's head for comfort.

He shakes his head.] You don't have to apologize.

[redstray]

[ He clings to him, as if letting him go would mean he would slip away forever. He did have to apologize, over and over again because he kept doing this to his brother. Making him worried when Izumo had problems of his own to deal with.

It takes a long time before he calms himself down enough to speak. ]

Did they...really electrocute you?

[toremainbehind]

They did. [He glances down at his brother before shifting his gaze away in order to look at the wall in front of him.]

The days when I couldn't even go back to that place — I was recovering from being electrocuted. But they still made me work, anyway.

[redstray]

[ He winced as he heard it. He had been burned, beaten...tortured but he had never been electrocuted. He couldn't even imagine what that had been like. Knowing that was the reason sometimes his brother couldn't visit for long periods, made his stomach flip. ]

They worked you so hard...

[toremainbehind]

It was either work or never getting to see you again.

[He sounds a bit distant, recalling the memories.

The pain of being electrocuted with his nerves on fire, sparking a continuous pain that never seemed to cease.

His skin was burnt from the volts, the agony of it often keeping him awake even when he wanted to sleep. He could remember the scabs from his injuries always peeling open until they eventually became scars.]

[redstray]

[ He grips him even tighter, he knows that kind of voice and he doesn't want Izumo to feel that kind of pain again. ]

You don't have to do that anymore. We can always see each other now.

[toremainbehind]

Right, we can.

[Looking at the clock, Izumo pats Eric's head.] It's late. Wanna sleep in your room or sleep with me?

[redstray]

Just want to stay with you.

[ He was comfy right now and as long as Izumo was he didn't mind sleeping on the couch, he's slept in worst places. ]

[toremainbehind]

Alright.

[Fortunately, Izumo doesn't mind sleeping on the couch either. He does grab a blanket though and drapes it over them.]

[redstray]

[ He snuggles a bit into the covers, enjoying them and being near his brother. Even though he slept before from the attack, he was still sleepy and in no time flat at all he was sleeping soundly again. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Morning comes soon enough, and Izumo slowly stirs awake.

He's quiet as he slips away from the couch, adjusting Eric to a more comfortable position. A glance at the clock tells him it's still early, so he heads into the kitchen to start making breakfast.]

[redstray]

[ It doesn't take much for Eric to stir awake when Izumo is gone and breakfast is being made. He sits up , the blanket surrounding him as he scanned the bar, slowly waking up. ]

...Izumo?

[toremainbehind]

In the kitchen!

[He's focused on making pancakes, having coffee brewing and fresh juice on the side.]

[redstray]

[ He walks over o there, deciding to wrap himself still in the blanket as he moved. He watched his brother for a bit, making pancakes. ]

Sorry...about yesterday.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo pauses and looks at Eric over his shoulder.]

At the rate you're going, I'm going to start making you put a nickel in a jar for every time you say 'sorry'.

[He turns around, plating a couple of pancakes.] But don't apologize, Eric.

[redstray]

[ Oooo you got Eric to pout Izumo ]

I know you suffered too and...I can't just keep doing things like I did before, when you handle everything so well.

[ He looked down and fiddled with a utensil. ]

It's still hard to talk about, but, I'll try harder...so you can stop worrying so much.

[toremainbehind]

I'll always worry.

[Turning around, he puts the plate of pancakes onto the dining table before getting the coffee and the juice.]

Take your time, though, Eric. If you can't find it to talk to me, perhaps there's someone else who can lend a listening ear for you. But just go at your own pace — there's no need to rush.

[redstray]

[ He stares at the plate of food, not quite hungry yet so he ignores it for now. Go at his own pace...huh? ]

Who else would there be?