#♠ Manila Verse ♠

[requiemofrebellion]

@deathfavor ― * ― ‘𝐬𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐲’ 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

“ it’s alright, now… i got you. “ ( manila Izana & Mikey )

It wasn’t every night that Mikey found himself calling Izana this late at night. His hands shaking as he grabbed his phone, put in Izana’s number and slowly raised it to his ear. His body slumped against his bedroom wall, a few feet away from his actual bed that was a mess. His blankets all bunched up or kicked to the floor while he had been asleep all due to dreams. Dreams that were too close to memories, dreams that contained friends that he believed had left him. Actually, one of them did, Takemichi left and he thought he was over this, but every time he dreamt about the other male he was back to being a complete mess.

Thoughts of; why did Takemichi leave? He promised to stay with him and then, then he left him all alone. The others were also just waiting to leave him too, telling him to leave Takemichi alone, that it was his choice on what he wanted to do. But he broke his promise and Mikey didn’t know how to handle the loss of someone he thought would stay forever. He let out a shaky breath, trying not to get too lost in his mind as he tried to focus on the ring from the other line. 

What if Izana didn’t answer? What if he didn’t want to come over? What if.... 

The other line was picked up and Mikey let out another shaky breath, not realizing he had been holding his breath. He took a few seconds to try and speak, trying to not make his voice as trembling as it felt. He tried to blink the tears away that formed in his eyes, why couldn’t he just be numb when he wanted to be numb? 

“ H...Hey, Izana.... Can you come over...? ” His words were slow, quiet and hints of cracks in his voice. His other hand lifted up to wipe at his face. “ I just... I need you... please... ”

Whether the conversation was short or not, the important part was that Izana was going to come over. Mikey hung up his cell finally, putting it down on the floor. His hands felt a little bit less shaky but still trembled ever so slightly. He stayed there on the ground until he heard the knock on his door, he picked up his cell, just sending Izana a quick text to just come in. If Izana didn’t have his key on him, one Mikey gave him a while ago, there was a spare hidden outside. 

He waited, dropping his phone to the ground again, toning everything else out until Izana was in front of him. Black orbs looked up at the other male, his lower lip moved so his could bite it softly to not just start crying. When did he become so weak sometimes? It didn’t matter. All Mikey cared about now was that Izana was here, he always came, he could rely on him, Izana would be the only one who wouldn’t leave right? 

Letting his bottom lip go from his teeth, he moved closer to Izana’s crouched down body. His hand reached out to gently grasp Izana’s wrist, tugging him down further onto the bedroom floor. He just wanted this empty feeling to leave him, so he just acted on what he was seeking. Once he got Izana to sit, he moved even closer to him, crawling into his lap, pressing his ear against Izana’s chest to listen to his heartbeat. 

“ I had another stupid dream about them... The unwanted memories when I woke up... I just... ” Mikey trailed off, slowly calming down just a bit more at listening to the rhythm of the beat. 

When the words were spoken from Izana, Mikey couldn’t help but press his lean figure more into him. His hand reaches out to try and take Izana’s hand in his, if the other would let him. The comfort he felt with Izana was unreal, he felt safe, secure, heard and cared about. He just wanted to stay like this, to remind himself that he didn’t need anyone else but Izana. 

“ You’re not...  Going to leave too, are you? ” Mikey found himself asking though, slowly tilting his head up to look up at Izana’s face. He needed the reassurance that Izana was going to stay, that he wasn’t like the rest of Mikey’s ‘ friends. ’

[requiemofrebellion]

Nestled on the couch, Mikey’s black orbs followed Izana. No emotion on his face, just a blank stare as he watches the other take off his jacket and hang it up. His cell was tossed to the side of him on the coffee table,, after having contacted Izana to see if he’d come over. A wave of loneliness fell over Mikey and instead of reaching out to his old friends, he reached out to Izana. He watched him sit next to him, allowing Izana to touch him. Mikey nearly leaned into the hand that cupped his face, liking the physical touch. It grounded him. 

“ I suppose that’s true... ” Tired eyes stared at Izana before looking down. He did know how those things had gone. He supposed Kisaki would inform Izana and Mikey would be there if they needed him. Though he took more to the shadows now than anything. Eyes lifted up once again when his roots were mentioned and a hand lifted to touch them. He hadn’t even realized they had started to come in. An ache was felt in his chest, he didn’t want his blonde locks to come back, they reminded him too much of those times. 

“ Sorry, Izana... I didn’t notice... ” His voice was soft, almost dead like as he spoke.

He lowered his hand down, leaning more into Izana’s hand. His own hand gently grasps Izana's wrist, just wanting to feel his skin. Eyes closed and he relaxed a bit as Izana continued to speak. He was glad he called, he wasn’t a burden, he wasn’t too much for Izana. That’s what those words told him anyway. He was always here unlike the others. His mind gripped Izana’s words like his life depended on them. He fell just deeper into Izana’s poison. 

His black eyes only opened when Izana spoke about food. His eyes lifted to look at Izana, focusing on that smile, it felt so welcoming and inviting to Mikey, he felt secure and warm around Izana. His stomach let out a small growl as he tried to think of the last time he ate. He dropped his head to look down at his stomach before looking back up and trying to muster up a smile, not wanting to worry Izana. He couldn’t worry him. 

“ No, I haven’t yet. ” When was the last time he ate? Had he forgotten to eat again today? Today had been a rough day on his mental state, so it wouldn’t surprise him if he had forgotten to eat, however he wasn’t about to tell Izana he hadn’t eaten anything today. He didn’t want to disappoint him nor worry him. 

Mikey tilted his head softly against Izana’s hand. A big deal coming up? Well, that was fine, Mikey would be here by Izana’s side and kicking anyone’s ass if Izana asked him to handle it. More of a smile formed on his lips as he hummed very softly at the idea of fighting alongside Izana. It filled his heart with some warmth. 

“ I’d like that. ” He replied. “ Showing our strength together sounds nice... We will definitely crush them if we need to. ” He shifted on the couch, his free hand moving to clutch his once again growling stomach as if that would stop the noise. “ Have you eaten, Izana? I can order whatever you want... unless you want to go out? Though I suppose we should touch up on my roots before leaving anywhere... ”

@requiemofrebellion said: “ please tell me you didn’t cancel your plans for me… ” ( mikey to izana, any verse)

so you had a bad day starters

Izana's lips quirk ever so faintly when he hears Mikey's comment as he shrugs off the black coat he'd worn to fend against the beast of winter's frigid nights. He hangs it up by the door while waving a hand casually. " It wasn't anything important anyways. You know how these things go. " He answers, turning away from the front door to approach the couch that Mikey was nestled onto. " If something important happens, someone will let Kisaki know and he can reach me. "

Thus the real leader sits down next to Mikey, wisteria eyes roaming over the other's face in search of an explanation. A hand reaches out to cup Mikey's cheek, an empty smile on his lips while he regards him. " We'll need to touch up your roots soon. " He didn't like the blonde peaking out, like some defiant vermin to the image Kisaki and him had molded of Mikey. That's something for another night though. There are more pressing matters even now than fixing hair.

" I'm glad you called. " It was good that Mikey had turned to him, latching onto him for guidance like a lost animal seeking another for aid. He'd make sure to guide Mikey just where he wanted him. " You know i'm always here for you. " Izana murmurs, sickeningly, deceptively sweet. " The others left, but I'll always be here for you. " It's another dose of poison fed under the guise of sweet care as he gently brushes his fingers through Mikey's dark locks. He feeds the lurking darkness like a trained beast, while acting as the guiding light, the refuge against the world.

He hums a few notes of reassurance, smile still in place before he speaks again. " Did you eat anything yet? We should get you some food if not. We have a big deal coming up in a couple days after all. We might actually have some fun crushing the enemy together. Wouldn't that be nice? It's so rare we really get to use our strength. " Izana sighs with a smile in a warped sense of delight.

[requiemofrebellion]

@deathfavor ⸻ Drinking starters.

❝You are NOT driving like this.❞ ( Izana & Mikey, Manila )

The music from the club was something Mikey could only hear, toning out the rest of the crowds around the club. His body swayed against the music, ignoring the people around him. He lost count of how many drinks he had, he lost count on how many shots he was in. His mind was no longer present as he just let himself be taken by the alcohol.  Any hands that tried touching him that wasn’t Izana were pushed away, moving away from whoever was trying to get handsy with him. He just wanted to feel happy tonight and not deal with people. He just wanted to enjoy the music, dance to it even if he was swaying and balance was hard to keep up at this point. His vision blurred a bit as he looked up to the ceiling.

It was hot. The room was too hot. Another pair of hands was trying to grab him, and Mikey moved away, stumbling off the dance floor, to the bar again. He looked over to where he figured Izana was at, seeing him glancing at him. Mikey just offered a smile, long black locks covering half of his face. Then he was looking back at the bartender, ordering another shot, taking it, and gulping it down in one drink. He put the glass down before his eyes moved around the room again. But he didn’t pay any mind to the people dancing on the dance floor, he didn’t pay attention to those who were just hanging around talking. He couldn’t focus. The thought of being hot again reappearing in his mind. Fresh air would help, yes, a ride out this late would bring him much comfort and cool him down.

Mikey pushed off the bar, stumbling towards the exit. He couldn’t tell if Izana was watching him again or if it was someone else, he didn’t care. He stumbled into the door, pushing against it to open it. A grunt leaving him as the door felt heavier than usual. It didn’t matter, he got it. He swayed as he walked outside, feeling the rush of cold hit his face. He took a deep breath in, enjoying the feel of the breeze. Black orbs searched for his bike as he stumbled towards it, swaying to the left and to the right, never walking straight. His hand moved into his pocket to dig out his keys, stopping by his bike with a soft smile. His smile not lasting long as he felt his keys being taken, plucked out of his hand without a care.

Mikey turned a bit too quickly and groaned at the dizziness he got from it. His back moving to lean against his bike, black eyes looking to see Izana who spoke about how he was not driving like this. Like what though? He was fine, he was. He could still see and walk, why couldn’t he drive? He didn’t understand, being too drunk to realize he was drunk.

“ Izaaa… ” Mikey whined out, his hand moving out in front of him to try and grasp at his keys. “ Give me back my… my keys. I’m fiiine. ” His words were slurred a bit as he spoke, his hand reaching but grasping at nothing. “ I want to go for a drive… ” His hand dropped back to his side as he pushed back more against his bike. His head tilting up, so his black locks fell away from his face, eyes now looking up at the night sky.

“ It’s…. pretty…. Wanna ride. ” He looked back down, drunkenly at Izana, his body looked ready to fall over at any given moment. “ Izaaa, don’t be mean. ” He whined out again with a frown. He pushed off his bike and stumbled into Izana’s body, his hands reaching up to grab onto Izana’s jacket. “ Please, Iza, please? Wanna ride… ”

[requiemofrebellion]

@deathfavor ― * ― Send me ⚠ to find my muse at the end of a trail of blood.

⚠ ( hmm if theres anyone you think would be interesting with Izana ? )

Red.

Everything Mikey looked at was red. The ground painted in red, the corpse red, covered in their own blood. His hands, clothes and boots were red as well from the man’s blood. Black orbs just stared, taking in the scene, not fully there in the present. He took a man’s life, he didn’t know who this man was, or what he did to have Izana want him dead but Mikey took care of it. His heart should have been racing from this, from killing someone but he felt numb. His expression blank as he stared at his palms. He didn’t think about the next steps though, he didn’t think about how he was going to get rid of the body or at least hide evidence. His mind kept being blank, just the thought of ‘ so red ’ in his mind. 

They were at least in a secluded area, no cameras around, no people either. He did pick a good spot to do it. After all, he couldn’t have witnesses as he needed to get back to Izana after this. He wanted to get back to Izana. Yet, he stayed still knowing he couldn’t leave the body like this nor walk away being covered in someone else’s blood. Perhaps he got carried away, letting out everything he felt out and not being able to control the monster that slept within him. 

His body tensed when he felt eyes on him from behind. Mikey slowly looked up before turning his head to look behind him. His body was getting ready to fight but once his eyes fell on Izana, his body relaxed. His mind slowly became less numb as he turned a bit towards the white hair male. 

“ I killed him, just like you told me to. ” Mikey stated, feeling the cool breeze of winter hit his face, pushing black locks away from his face. 

He had become so codependent on Izana that he lost himself within it all. He wouldn’t recognize himself if his past self met him. He just wanted Izana happy with him, for Izana to keep him because Izana gave him the warmth he seeked, the comfort he craved. The closeness he wanted with his friends. He got everything he ever wanted with Izana and more, and Izana was able to mold him into whatever he desired, without Mikey caring or noticing. All he cared about was that Izana was happy, pleased and he was able to go back into those arms of his, not realizing the poison he had taken again and again by falling into those arms. 

Mikey stepped closer to Izana, reaching out to touch him but stopping when his black eyes saw his blood stained hand. A frown formed on Mikey’s lips as he lowered his hand away from Izana. The other didn’t need blood from trash on him, even if he craved the physical contact from the other, he wouldn’t get Izana dirty. His head lowered to look at the ground, mind back to racing thoughts on what to do. He then slowly opened his mouth to speak again. 

“ What are you doing here though...? ” He slowly looked back up, a flash of confusion appearing over his saddened expression. “ I thought I was supposed to report back to you... ” He ever so slightly looked over his shoulder. “ Did I spend too much time out here? I just didn’t know what to do with the body... ”

[requiemofrebellion]

@deathfavor ⸻ unprompted.

    “ . . .  Don’t you dare laugh. I don’t see YOUR gingerbread house looking much better. “ Izana rests his chin against the palm of his hand, staring at the mess they’ve created in attempt of making two different gingerbread houses. Give the two of them a thousand men and they could beat them in a minute or two. Give them two gingerbread kits? Evidently, neither Izana nor Mikey could succeeded other than making a mess of frosting and collapsed walls.  (  For Manilla Izana & Mikey ! )

The smile on Mikey’s face was genuine, staring upon their gingerbread houses with fondness even if neither of them came out right. Honestly, Mikey’s gingerbread house was missing half the candy from him munching on them while he had attempted to put the walls of the house together. But seeing Izana do just as poorly as him, made him smile even more, a hint of laughter threatening to leave him. 

It wasn’t until Izana told him not to laugh, that Mikey let the laughter out, leaning back into his chair, letting his laughter fill the room. Though he wasn’t laughing at Izana, more like laughing at both of their failures. Still, he had fun doing this, getting Izana to help him make gingerbread houses really warmed his heart up and got him more into the spirit of christmas. 

“ Heh, sorry sorry! ” He stated, lifting a hand to poke at his own gingerbread house. “ Guess we both suck at making these huh? Still, it was fun right? ” Eyes moved from his gingerbread house to Izana and then down to the candies by Izana’s house. 

“ Since they collapsed... you don’t need those candies do you? ” He moved a hand slowly over to Izana’s side to see if the other would allow him to steal one. “ Maybe the key to a successful one is if we work together next time! Do we have another box? ”

[requiemofrebellion]

@deathfavor ― * ― 𝑾𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑪𝑯𝑹𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑴𝑨𝑺 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑻𝑺.

❛  i've prepared some hot chocolate if you want to come in.  ❜ ( Izana & Mikey Manila ! )

It was one of those days where Mikey sat outside on his balcony, watching the world pass by him. Dark orbs stared blankly out into the white winter that was brought here. He would have heard all the noises of the busy day down below if he wasn’t toning them all out. Flashes of his younger years flashed through his mind like a movie. 

The snow brought on different types of memories, some fun ones, some sad, some violent ones. He leaned his head against the cold pole next to him. Remembering the snowball fights, the snowmen, the snow angels. He remembered the rides he took just to feel like his brother and Baji were with him along with all his friends. He remembered the time he fought Taiju in the church, although it wasn’t really much of a fight. He also recalled those depressed winter times as well, curled up in bed not wanting to move, not wanting to make a sound. Usually he was very festive when it came to holidays and winter but sometimes the depression hit him bad and he would get lost in himself. 

But those days were gone. At least the happy memories were. Now, they were a bit of a painful reminder of what used to be. However, he did have Izana right? He can make memories like those with Izana couldn’t he? The thought made Mikey smile a bit as he sat there, letting snowflakes fall onto him. He hadn’t realized how much time had passed or how cold he was getting, not until he heard Izana’s voice and he looked over to the door. 

“ Hot coco? ” He was always and will forever be a sucker for sweet things. “ Is it extra chocolaty? ” He asked as he slowly moved to stand, shivering as his mind slowly came back to reality. “ Did you put in marshmallows? Marshmallows are the best in hot coco. ” He slowly moved inside, eyes on Izana as he kept speaking, not really waiting for the other to reply. 

“ We should cheer. You did make yourself a cup right? If not, let me make you one, we should honor this memory. ” Yes, new memories to be made, new happy times. “ And then after hot coco, can we go for a ride? ”

[requiemofrebellion]

@deathfavor ⸻ 𝑺𝑶𝑭𝑻 𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑺𝑻 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

❛ we’re too late … ❜ ( hear me out, manila Izana & kakucho about Mikey )

Mikey had run off to the Philippines without contacting him or Izana about it. It was odd, something Mikey normally didn’t do. He had done his orders, killed his old friends so what happened that made him run off? Kakucho didn’t know nor did it seem like Izana did either. They had all molded Mikey into what they wanted; did he snap under it all finally? He wasn’t answering his cellphone as they both tried to reach him.

A few days went by and Kakucho was going to ask Izana if he wanted to fly out there, that was before the phone rang and what was told on the other side was something neither of them expected. Mikey was… he was dead? Shot by a detective due to threatening someone with a gun? Mikey wasn’t that stupid, what the hell was he thinking? Kakucho’s eyes moved to look at Izana, the voice on speaker phone so he knew Izana heard.

What was going through the king’s head? Kakucho finished up on the phone before hanging up and hearing the words slip from Izana’s lips. A frown was on Kakucho’s lips as he moved to drape an arm around the other, pulling him closer to him. Should he have suggested they go after him sooner? Would this have been avoided if they had done something else with Mikey? Not that Kakucho had any ties to Mikey, he was just a puppet he knew Izana was using, that still didn’t mean Kakucho thought Izana didn’t care, even if it was just a little. Or it messes up Izana's plans, after all Mikey was his possession, had been Izana’s for years.

“ I’m sorry, Izana. ” Kakucho finally said within the silence of the room. “ I should have gone after him sooner. ” Yet there was nothing else to be done, nothing left to be said. “ Do you want to do a funeral for him at all…? I can find out who killed your Mikey. Whatever you need… ” Whatever he needs, he will be there for him.

[requiemofrebellion]

The soothing motion of his black locks being stroked was nice. A welcome comfort as Mikey continued to listen to the heartbeat of Izana. His mind slowly felt more grounded than before, less like he was falling into a dark hole, less like he was drowning. Izana was his light, his beacon to move towards, not seeing it as another darkness he was actually falling into. 

Who left him? Yes, they left him. His mind grasped onto every word of Izana like his life depended on it. A soft nod was given in response but nothing was said. His mind reeling in what Izana spoke to him. They abandoned him. They didn’t want him, they left him to fall into despair and darkness. They left him when he needed them the most. Yes, it wasn’t a dream at all. It was nothing but a nightmare and terrible memories. They turned their back on him, it was true. He was unwanted. Why couldn’t he have just dreamt of Izana, a good dream, one that would have put him in a good mood for when morning light came?

It didn’t matter anymore. Izana had him. He was safe again, he was secure again. He was cared about and not left alone, not abandoned. He let out another slightly shaky breath, fleeting to Izana’s words like a moth to light. When he had looked up and Izana answered his question, Mikey’s tensed shoulders slowly got less tense. His black eyes stared up at Izana’s face, quiet as he took in the words that Izana wasn’t going to leave him. 

The hand on his cheek was nice, Mikey staying still in Izana’s lap. A faint smile appeared on his lips as warmth filled slightly in his own chest. The kiss to his forehead was nice, he truly believed he didn’t need anyone else but Izana at this point right now. The kiss only proved Izana’s words didn’t it? That he cared and he wouldn’t leave him, he wouldn’t... 

Yet there was still darkness within his mind that suggested otherwise. His smile fell from his face quickly again as unwanted thoughts spurred up again.

“ I... ” Mikey trailed off for a moment, trying to think but his mind felt foggy. “ They seemed to be here for me... they would show up...” No, did they really show up for him? He was questioning it now. “So what if you stop showing up? ” His eyes narrowed slightly, contemplating what he was saying. But he did believe Izana, he would always come, he always had. So why the slight doubt? 

“ Why did they leave me? Why will you stay with me? ” He whispered out, slowly dropping his head to look away and at his own lap. The faint light from his bedside lamp casting shadows along them as they sat in his otherwise darkened room. “ I believe you, I just... I’m scared, Izana... I can’t lose you too. ” He couldn’t help the warmth of his tears from falling now and both hands were quick to wipe at his face. No, he didn’t wish to cry. He wanted to go back to being numb. 

“ I’ve lost too many, I’ve lost everyone but you, but what if you stop caring about me? What if... what if I’m the problem and that’s why they left? ”

The call from Mikey had been an unexpected one. Especially when it was one of the nights where Izana had actually gone to bed at a more reasonable time. ( A fact he was thankful for now knowing that it would be cut short and thus leave it at its usual amount. ) But he offered sweet reassurances that he would be over there, that he would help. It was good. Mikey was relying on him like that, turning to him.

It hadn't taken too long for Izana to get himself put together to go pay Mikey a visit. And what a sight it had been when he'd managed to get there and unlock the door after being told it was fine to do so. ( It wouldn't have stopped Izana regardless, but it was good he was so open in communicating. ) He walks into the darkened rooms until he's standing in front of the once invincible Mikey. Physically, Mikey was tough. But he was so malleable when it came to the psyche, so easy to break down down emotionally and mold. That stupid Takemichi had made it delightfully even easier of a task. It was kind of pathetic, but that was okay. It was his mikey, and his mikey didn't need Takemichi or any of those other nuisances they'd been hunting down.

Izana crouches in front of Mikey with a gentle croon. " It's me, Mikey. I'm right here. Just like always. " Wisteria eyes turn down to his wrist when Mikey unexpectedly grasps him, but he's quick to understand what it is that the other is seeking out from him. Izana sits down onto the bedroom floor, paying little mind to their surrounding when the dark-haired male crawls into his lap and tucks up against his chest like a terrified critter.

Good.

Izana lowers a hand, gently sliding his fingers through dark locks in a reassuring gesture to help ground Mikey into the moment here and now with him. " I see. Those people you called friends who abandoned you? Who left you? " Izana asks, feeding crafted poison even to the dead or soon to be dead to the broken man in his lap. " That sounds more like a nightmare than a dream. Dreams are supposed to be nice. Not filled with people who turned their back to you. " He delivers such words with a soothing, quiet tone that hides the real intent of the words. " But I've got you, Mikey. "

The King tilts his head down as he feels Mikey moving against his chest to gaze upwards. " No. I'm not leaving you Mikey. " Izana reassures him with a small smile, lifting a hand to brush his cheek with his fingertips. " If i was, I wouldn't be here, right? I'll never leave you. You can always rely on me. " Izana murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of Mikey's forehead in a warm gesture of assurance. " You know that, right Mikey? I always come. I'm always here for you. Unlike anyone else. "