After the Memory (Eric + Kusanagi)

[redstray]

 [ Eric stared into space, barely focusing on the bar's counter as he heard a clock ticking somewhere.

Just two days after Mikoto's passing...or was it three? Eric couldn't tell sonce he hasn't really slept since then. Which was ine of the reasons why he volunteered tonight to watch over Anna and the bar. Fujishima offered to stay as well but after Eric snapped at him for babying him, he managed to be alone. He felt bad for that and would apologize the next time he saw the other but his mind was just in a fog.

He closed his eyes to doze but sprang them back open as flashes of what happened thay day came back. The uneasiness of watching himself do something he had no control over made his skin crawl. As well as the other patches of memories he was sure weren't from his own head. But he kept quiet. He didn't think anyone saw him being taken control of by the Colourless King and with everything that happen, he didn't want to worry anyone for it.

He vaguely heard the clock chime to 4am and sighed. Just a little longer and he would be through. ]

Comments

[toremainbehind]

[It took a while for Izumo to get everything back in order after Mikoto's death, not once allowing himself to stop and actually mourn for the loss of their King — and his best friend.

He hadn't even managed to stay at the bar very long, sometimes disappearing for hours on end after trusting the boys to watch over Anna while he was gone. There was an uneasiness that was threatening to settle in his mind, one Izumo refused to pay attention to, but it was only after he had gotten the call from Fujishima that he made his way to the bar.

It was late, he knew, but he needed to check up on his bar and Anna. He couldn't always let the others watch over her, and he needed to talk to her.

Entering the bar, Izumo's already been informed about Eric staying over, though he hoped the younger would be asleep. It seems not to be the case once Izumo notices him still up. He raises an eyebrow, quietly closing the door behind him.]

Eric?

[redstray]

[ His ears perked at the noise of the main door being opened and he sprung to his feet, ready for anything. His hand on his knife and aura ready to activate if necessary. He blinked, not expecting the bartender to come in here. ]

Kusanagi-san?

[ He relaxes, hands coming out of his pockets as he walked over to him/ ]

What are you doing here?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo almost smiles at seeing the reaction - almost. It's quite endearing to see how much Eric has changed during his time with Homra in contrast to when he initially came.

He eventually does smile, though.]

I came ta check up on everything. [He glances over to the stairs before looking back at Eric.] What're ya still doing up? 's 4 a.m. already.

[redstray]

[ He doesn't return the smile but goes back to sitting on the couch and gives a shrug. ]

Is it? I hadn't noticed...

[ He noticed, but the past couple of days have blurred from his lack of sleep that time didn't matter to him. ]

Just in case...Anna comes down, I wanted to help...

[toremainbehind]

'm sure Anna would want ya ta rest, too.

[But he notices something wrong with Eric, so his smile shifts into a frown, one out of concern.]

Have ya been getting any sleep lately at all?

[redstray]

[ Another shrug, trying his best to looks away so Kusanagi wouldn't worry. ]

Enough.

[toremainbehind]

You're lying.

[Because Izumo's perceptive enough to sense something is wrong with the younger man. However, other than those two words, he says nothing more as he moves into the kitchen.

He soon comes out with two glasses of water, choosing to sit next to Eric on the couch. Remaining quiet, Izumo takes out a cigarette and his lighter, soon lighting it with the familiar smell of tobacco entering the air.]

[redstray]

[ He flinches at the accusation and pulls his knees up to his chest. ]

...Like anyone is sleeping well.

[ He stares at the glass of water and avoids looking at the other, he wasn't in the mood to share. ]

[toremainbehind]

[A nod because he knows the feeling.

Izumo can relate to Eric, but at the same time, he knows he just can't leave the younger man like this. The others have their own ways of trying to move on, even Izumo himself. But it never quite works out that way.

Shifting his gaze away, Izumo breathes out the smoke he had inhaled.] 's been a few days already, hasn't it?

[redstray]

[ The reason why he didn't want Fujishima around was the same reason why he would rather have Kusanagi not here, he wanted to be alone. He didn't want to deal or talk about what was going on with him. He'd get over it, there were more important things going on. ]

...Yeah.

[toremainbehind]

[Unfortunately for Eric, Izumo won't leave.

At the same time, he won't continue to pry either. The silence is unsettling, and Izumo suspects Anna's already awake and perhaps listening in. He shifts his gaze to the ceiling.]

[redstray]

[ Damnit!

Eric saw the look to the ceiling before glancing up himself. ]

Anna took awhile to fall asleep...

[ He had stayed with her until she fell asleep. Eric was patient with her, just sitting on the bed and holding her hand until he could tell she was sound asleep. ]

[toremainbehind]

'm not surprised. 's good ya were with her.

[More than what Izumo could say for himself. He makes a promise to himself to spend more time with Anna, knowing it'd hurt if she lost him, too.

Lowering his gaze, he took another drag.] Has she been having nightmares?

[redstray]

Just trying to help...

[ He mumbles, shrugging again. ]

Sometimes, but she tries to hide it, I think.

[toremainbehind]

Anna's always been like that. She doesn't wanna worry others.

["Like you." remains unsaid.]

I heard from Shouhei he saw ya stab the Blue King during the battle. [A comment, a simple observation, but as he breathes out, he eyes Eric closely to see his reaction.]

[redstray]

She shouldn't have to...

[ Pot meet kettle, kettle meet pot.

Eric flinches at the mention and the feeling he remembered during that time made him shiver slightly. He tried to cover it by moving himself a bit, like he was trying to get more comfortable. ]

...And?

[toremainbehind]

Seems ta be a common trait when it comes ta our Clan.

[Aah, there's that reaction he's been watching for.

He continues to watch Eric, cigarette clenched between his teeth, though he remains as casual and at ease as ever. When Eric starts to move, he lets out a sigh.]

Are ya okay?

[redstray]

Mm

[ Damn it! He held onto his legs tightly and looked away from the other. He doesn't want to talk about it. ]

I'm fine.

[toremainbehind]

[Closing his eyes, he grabs a nearby ash tray and puts out his cigarette.]

How long d'ya plan on tryin' ta keep it ta yourself? [Again, Izumo's not sounding accusatory towards him. Eric, he doesn't want you to be like him and Anna in trying to hide everything.]

[redstray]

I said I'm fine!

[ He's starting to get defense snappy, sorry Kusanagi. And he already is like Anna and him, no one knows a lot about his past for a reason. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Fortunately, Izumo doesn't seem the least bit surprised or offended by the snappy tone.

He hums.] There's something I've been meaning t' tell ya.

[redstray]

What?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo's quiet for a moment, trying to think of a proper way to say this.

It's hardly the time nor the place, but he figures he'd tell Eric now before he sets off on his trip to Germany. It'd be like a punch in the gut, but Izumo knows he'd rather do it now than to keep postponing it.

Eric deserves that, at least.]

I've been entertaining the idea o' adopting ya for a while now.

[redstray]

[ he blanks out a bit hearing those words. Did...did he hear that right? Was that a word he knew? Or was it suppose to mean something else. He turns to look at Kusanagi, pure shock on his face. ]

Wha...what?

[toremainbehind]

[He's aware of Eric staring at him, sipping at his own glass of water. After a brief pause, he looks back at Eric.]

I've been thinking o' adopting ya, or a'least, have ya legally under my guardianship.