homralings | After the Memory (Eric + Kusanagi)

[ 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. ]

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[ He lightly humph's, not liking being treating like he was some fragile kid but Eric you never take care of yourself but it's been a long day and there was sill something to do.

He lightly leans on Kusanagi, putting his shoulder on the other. Even if it wouldn't be to long before the others got here, he didn't want Kusanagi to move away, he needed some rest too. ]

[The action has him smiling.

Even if he won't let himself sleep, it's just nice to be able to sit and relax for a bit. He's had a tiring morning after all, so the brief break was nice.

Izumo just continues to lean back against the couch, enjoying the silence.

Though, true to his word, the others soon enter the bar, being loud and rowdy as usual even in the mornings.]

[ The sudden noise change has Eric jumping out of surprise. He moves off of Kusanagi, when they all started to come in and he goes back to picking at his food, ignoring the noisy idiots. ]

[Breakfast is a loud affair, the happiness of having everyone gathered like this nearly infectious.

Even when Anna came down, she's smiling as she ate breakfast with everyone. Some time passes until the others leave, Kamamoto and Yata taking Anna with them to the arcade after they helped clean up.

Izumo starts to clean up once they're gone, putting the clean dishes away.]

[ Fujishima comes over to Eric and he mumbles apologizes to the older one about his behaviour. He receives another head pat and a don't worry about it.

He eats a bit more of his plate...but he can't fully finish it. He listens to everyone else, glad that they can smile and laugh a little while after everything that had happen. it might not last but they're happy right now.

As breakfast is eaten and people start to distract themselves in another way they started leaving Fujishima and Chitose offered to take him somewhere but he shook his head, not giving an excuse to why. He heard them say take care as they shut the door. Eric bundled himself back into the banket, knees up and head down ]

[Izumo comes out a bit later with his coat tucked under his arm.

He notices Eric still on the couch, so he walks over to him.] D'ya wanna come grocery shopping with me or stay here?

[Because Izumo's gotten a good look in the fridge and the pantry, and realized they're still short on everything. Besides, he's not going to let Eric simply sit in that position where it suggests something is wrong.]

Ah...uhm...

[ He looks away, fidgeting with his sleeves as he tries to figure out if he wants to go or not.

But if Kusanagi wanted him to go then he should, right? So he nods, getting up from the couch to follow him ]

[Izumo hums a bit, grabbing the keys before leading Eric out of the bar.]

[ He hops a bit to catch up to him, and follows along. ]

Anna will be okay...by herself?

Anna is fine. Besides, Kanamoto and Yata-chan should be back soon enough ta watch over her.

[He's also made sure to leave Anna a phone to call him in case of emergencies, but he doesn't outright say it out loud.]

Good...It'd be better if she wasn't alone.

[ She was quiet and wore a mask more then he did. Maybe that's why he was able to tell, not that everyone wasn't suffering either, but the girl seemed to be trying to hide it and worry about others. ]

She's strong, but 'm sure she appreciates having all o' ya with her.

[Izumo knows the mask Anna wears, can see through it now more often than he'd like to. But he knows that while he can be a support pillar, there are others who can do so much better than he could.]

Yeah.

[ He at least enjoyed her company and he hoped she felt the same. ]

She'll be okay...we all will...

Right.

[He takes out a cigarette and a lighter, breathing in deeply.]

[ He watched as Kusanagi smoked, adjusting his hood onto his head, feeling the cold but not taking any mind. ]

[Izumo's quiet for a moment, taking in a drag and breathing out the smoke.]

Christmas is coming up, isn't it?

[ He tilts his head, trying to remember what it was. ]

Couple of days...why?

I was wondering whether or not we should celebrate it given all that's happened.

[ Christmas never sat well with Eric since his parents had passed. But Totsuka and all of Homra made it welcoming and fun again, though it was a bit different then what he had celebrated before, the spirit was still there. ]

It's...hard to say...

[Izumo's quiet for a moment, thinking. Then:]

Do you wanna celebrate Christmas?

I don't know but...

[ He remembered that first Christmas in Homra. He wasn't feeling comfortable from memories resurfacing of his family. Totsuka came up to him smiling and giving him a present, talking so happily and getting him into the spirit. The first Christmas he felt happy in a long while. ]

Totsuka-san...really liked Christmas. I think that...he would like us to celebrate it.

[Izumo takes a moment to digest his words before a faint smile appears.

In the end, Totsuka really has touched their lives more than anyone else.

So, he nods.]

Alright, then. This means that it's time to start some Christmas preparations.

[ He jumps a bit at the sudden decision ]

A lot to be done in a short time...

[ Tree, decor, presents, food. It would take a miracle to get it all together done in just a few days. ]

's not a lot as long as we put our minds to it. [With that being said, Izumo has his phone out, contacting everyone about the plans.

Almost immediately, everyone texts back with joyous responses and agreements to help out with the celebration.]

We can surprise Anna with this, too.

After the Memory (Eric + Kusanagi)

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