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]

[He starts to follow after Eric, but when he stops and turns around, he blinks at him.

And he raises an eyebrow at being called.]

Hm? What is it?

[redstray]

I'm sorry...about Mikoto-san and Totsuka-san...you lost two friends you knew for so long...it must be hard and just...sorry

[ What any of them were feeling except maybe Anna...must have been so small compared to what he was feeling]

[toremainbehind]

[Ah--

Izumo's quiet for a moment. Losing his two best friends was hard - they didn't even really have a proper amount of time to mourn Totsuka, and now Mikoto was gone and he was the last one remaining.

But even so, he smiles.]

Those two have always done their own thing. The only thing the rest o'us can do is carry on their memory. [Keep HOMRA together (for now) and have it keep going. Just because they're dead doesn't mean the rest of them have to lay their memory to rest completely.]

[redstray]

[ Even though he sees the smile and knows this is Kusanagi's way he still wanted to help. ]

You're allowed to mourn and be sad. They wouldn't want you to bottle it up.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo laughs quietly, knowing how true it was.

Mikoto would hit him on the head while Totsuka would bug him until he finally says something.

He shakes his head at the memories, keeping that smile on his face.]

You're right, they wouldn't.

[redstray]

Then don't make others worry, just because of foolish sentiments only in your head.

[ Speaking from experience of course. But also if Kusanagi was going to be his guardian why would it only work one way and not both? ]

[toremainbehind]

Mm, alright. But ya gotta promise ta do the same, too.

[He's beside Eric now, his smile widening slightly.] Now, let's head back. I got something ta surprise our princess with, too.

[redstray]

No guarantees. But I'll try.

[ That's all he could say. He's gotten better there is no doubt. He actualy told him what was wrong without too much prodding. He casually glances over at the older one ]

And that is?

[toremainbehind]

Sometimes trying's just enough.

[Izumo starts walking, already fishing out another cigarette from his pocket while he glances back at Eric.]

How'd ya feel 'bout having a little sister?

[redstray]

[ He jumps a bit, blinking as he tried to comprehend that question. ]

You mean...Anna?

[toremainbehind]

Yup.

[redstray]

You're her...guardian too?

[toremainbehind]

If she lets me. [Though, he's already like a parental figure to her.

He lights the cigarette.] She's still a child, so she'll need a guardian ta look after her. This way, both o'ya can be under my wing legally.

[redstray]

[ He was kind of surprised he hadn't, or one of the others, been her guardians already]

Anna...I understand but why me out of everyone else?

[toremainbehind]

[They were -sort of- her guardians, but not quite. They've mostly kept her hidden, sheltered, and the idea of doing legal paperwork to make it official never really crossed their minds.]

Why not you? [He raises an eyebrow.]

[redstray]

[ Let him count the ways ]

I...I don't know...but...so sudden and it just seems odd

[toremainbehind]

[No, no thinking like that. Izumo doesn't want any self-doubt.]

Well, compared ta the others, you're a foreigner still. If the police catch ya, then you'll get deported. At least this way, ya won't be and ya get ta stay with us. [Well, that's one reason.]

[redstray]

[ Always will self doubt. The years of doing that are far greater still. ]

...That's it?

[ He was born here. Sure he had no papers...well...that would be bad. He never thought of it because this was his home. ]

[toremainbehind]

And you're family. [Izumo could give him more reasons if he wanted, but then he'd start sounding repetitive.]

'sides, if ya think I don't got enough o'a good reason, tell me why I shouldn't adopt ya.

[redstray]

[ He hides his face in his hood at the word family. It was pretty foreign to him still without having some kind of effect on him. ]

To have someone like me as family...it's pretty laughable don't you think?

[toremainbehind]

Not at all.

[redstray]

...You really are all strange people...

[toremainbehind]

Maybe, but it'd be different if we weren't strange.

Just try ta imagine if Homra was like Scepter 4.

[redstray]

They're even stranger

[toremainbehind]

Heh, perhaps. [But if they've been walking during their talk, they eventually make it back to the bar, being greeted by Kamamoto.

Izumo thanks him quietly before heading to the kitchen, it's time to make some breakfast.]