~|| For You, My Love ||~ Kaneki Ken X Reader

Months had passed since the incident between the CCG and Aogiri. Despite how much time had passed, you were still in denial over that night. The night Kaneki decided not to return to Anteiku.


You had been reassured by Yoshimura that Kaneki was safe. But you didn't really believe that. You couldn't.
For as long as you had known Kaneki, he always preferred to be alone somewhere reading books. Since the moment Hide introduced you to him, Kaneki seemed... lonely. Sad. Distant.


His demeanor caused both you and Hide to worry about Kaneki on a daily basis. You both wanted the best for your friend, to be there for him whenever he may be in need.


Doubting what you were initially told, you asked Touka how your friend seemed that night. Rather, you continuously bombarded her with questions until she got so annoyed with you that she finally agreed to open up about that night just to shut you up.


But whatever the reason, Touka confirmed your suspicions. According to her, Kaneki did seem different somehow. Aside from his hair being as white as freshly fallen snow and the nails on his digits turning black, Touka said that your childhood friend seemed to be even more distant than usual. If that was possible.


The thought of never having Kaneki around again was an idea you were unwilling to accept. You were desperate to bring him back, to at least see him once more.
And you were willing to do whatever was necessary to make that happen.


~


Kaneki was turned into a ghoul. Surely it is possible for more humans to become ghouls, right?


~


After weeks of gathering information, followed by a growing amount of concern and protests, you found yourself laying in a hospital bed after undergoing an 'emergency' surgery to have a liver transplant.


~


You had healed remarkably fast, and were discharged from the hospital in less than one week. You were grateful. You didn't think you would have been able to spend another moment breathing in the nauseating aromas of hospital food.


~


"You're a damn idiot, you know that?"


Filling the last napkin dispenser and setting it back on the table, you glanced over at your co-worker and friend.


"This again?" You sighed, mentally preparing yourself for the lecture you had come to known too well.


"Obviously I have to keep telling your dumb ass this since you're too stupid to realize it yourself!"


"I know, I know. 'I have no idea what the Hell I'm doing. I'm stupid. You should have killed me when I first found out about you guys.'" You quoted, grabbing a nearby broom to sweep the dining area.


Touka glared at you from across the room. After a few moments of silence, she spoke again. "Are you gonna join Aogiri, too?"


"I'm not sure." You answered, looking down at the floor. While you didn't agree with Aogiri's intentions, you were determined to see your childhood friend again at any cost.


"I still think you made a huge mistake." Touka stated as she washed, dried, and put away the various coffee cups used earlier that day.


"Maybe you're right." You began. "But at least I finally understand exactly what you mean."


Placing the final cup away, Touka gave you a questioning look. You smiled.


"Cake really does taste disgusting."


~


Snow fell to the ground, blanketing the city in a thin veil of white. With Christmas only two weeks away, you quickly remembered an even more important day that was approaching quickly. A day you intended to recognize, no matter what.


~


Steam rose from an old coffee cup as a certain white-haired ghoul sipped the dark liquid.


"Eyepatch."


Setting the cup back down, he looked at the temperamental boy standing in the doorway.


"You've been assigned a new recruit." Ayato said in a lazy voice before walking away.


The half-ghoul rose from his seat, patiently waiting for this 'new recruit' to enter the room. The person who entered, however, was someone he would have never expected to see.


"[Name]." His voice was barely above a whisper as he stared at you with wide eyes.


As you looked at the boy you had longed to see so badly, your heart shattered.
He looked so... lost. Alone. Broken.


"Hey Kaneki." You greeted with a small smile.


"How... Why..." Searching for the proper words, you cut him off.


"It's good to finally see you again, Kaneki. I was really worried about you. Everyone was. And, well..." You trailed off for a moment. "I thought this would be the easiest way to find you."


Kaneki stared at you for a while longer before looking away. "But... I never wanted you to go to these extremes just for me... I'm sorry..."


Without thinking, you approached your friend and wrapped your arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace.


"You have nothing to apologize for. This was entirely my choice. And if it means being with you, Kaneki," You looked up at him and smiled, "I would become a half ghoul over and over again."


Looking at you once more, Kaneki returned your smile with a small one of his own.


"Oh, I almost forgot!" You reached into your pocket and pulled out a small decorative box. "Happy Birthday, Kaneki."


Taking the box from you, the white-haired boy opened it and saw the 'sugar' cubes that Yoshimura had given to him when he first began working at Anteiku.


He smiled. "Thank you, [Name]."


"I know it's not much, but-" You were cut off by a pair of soft lips slowly pressing against yours. Your face heated up when you realized what was happening. Kaneki kissed you. The sweet, shy Kaneki you grew to love actually kissed you. After a few seconds, he pulled away.


"It's perfect, thank you." He said, carefully placing the box on a nearby table next to his ghoul mask.


"Kaneki." You began. He turned to you, waiting for you to continue. "Please promise me that you won't leave again... unless you tell me face-to-face next time."


Kaneki's eyes widened slightly before softening.
"I promise." He smiled. You smiled back before leaning up and kissing him back.


Deep down, you knew that in all probability things would never stay calm or blissful for the two of you. But you didn't care. Whatever Kaneki intended to do, you had every intention on staying by his side. As long as he stayed safe, that's all that mattered to you.


~Happy Birthday, Ken Kaneki~