Half-Baked Potato Drabbles

When it comes to their son, Kaneki stops assuming things and simply asks the boy what he truly wishes to say. So Kaneki tucks in his son, pats the boy's head and spares a fleeting kiss to his forehead before Kaneki gently drops the question.

"Okay, what is it?" his son gives Kaneki a huffy look. He's learned that from Hide.

"Can you tell papa that I say good'ight?"

Kaneki chuckles. "You could tell him that yourself." 

The young boy shakes his head profusely. "No way! I'm a big boy now! It's embarrassing to say goodnight to your parents!"

Kaneki rolls his eyes. Yeah, that's dramatic tendency there? Their son's learned that from him. "So does that mean there's no goodnight kiss for me as well, my good sir?" Kaneki teases. 

His son's eyes widen. The child quickly babbles incoherently before he hides his face under the blanket. Kaneki grins; his joy is so bright he might as well be blinded by it.

"Night, love," Kaneki whispers gently. He's near the door when he hears the soft 'g'night' from his son. Kaneki closes the door and heads towards his and Hide’s bedroom. 

Inside, he's greeted by Hide's crooked grin and the usual mischief in his eyes. Beautiful is always the first word that comes to mind whenever Kaneki looks at his husband. 

Kaneki walks towards the bed and tenderly brushes his fingers against the picture frame; slipped neatly inside is a decade-old photo of Hide. The worth is immeasurable to Kaneki. He stares at the photo for a long while.

"You know," Kaneki says, his voice is like a distant hum, "I couldn't save you when the ghouls were-- I just want you to know, Hide, in my books--... I've saved you in every book I've written. I didn't fail you. I got to you before anything could happen.”

Kaneki kneels and studies the photo of his husband. In the picture, Hide’s precious smile is immortalized.

"Every single time, Hide, I swear. You're alive. In all of my books. I saved you. I just want you to know that. I saved you every time.”

"Remember that time when I said that we'd seal our happy ending with a marriage?"

"Uh-huh."

"It's really happening, huh? We really are getting married."

"Kaneki, love. We had to stop the wedding. There was an assassination attempt and you got stabbed. Four times. And I'm pretty sure two of our guests just died from blood loss." 

"They're not dead. They just fainted."

"I'm pretty sure--"

"Anyway," Kaneki hastily interrupts. He removes his hand from his abdomen, the wound is already closing. He grins at his fiancé. "At least I killed the ghouls, right?"

"Kaneki--"

"We can still get married," Kaneki assures confidently. 

"Riiiight." Hide sighs. He's tired, he's dirty, his back hurts and they've got a mess to fix and okay, assassination attempts happen all the time but the one that's happened during their wedding? It's just cruel. This place is in disorder, most of their guests have fled and only very few people have stayed to help them clean the mess.

He can feel Kaneki's eyes on him but Hide's too miserable to care about it. Instead, he sulks and mumbles to himself. 

"We can still get married," Kaneki assures again. He reaches out to play with Hide's hair and the blond just groans. 

Hide looks at the other; the ghoul has that same big and bright smile he often wears when the joy in his chest is infinite. 

"Nishiki can officiate our wedding," Kaneki plainly says. His eyes fall on the surprised ghoul.

Nishiki himself looks as bruised and dirty as them, having fought at Kaneki's side previously. But the fatigue doesn't dim down his annoyance at Kaneki's words. 

"I'm not going to officiate anything."

"Yeah!" Hide agrees. "He can't officiate our wedding! He's an atheist!"

"That's fuc-"

“Of course he can. He’s my second-in-command,” Kaneki answers flatly. He gives Nishiki a determined look.

"Please, Nishiki." Kaneki doesn't beg, of course, but the soft defeated tone is enough to make Nishiki wilt. He looks at Kaneki before the older ghoul curses and reluctantly agrees.

Kaneki smirks and gives Hide a wink. Hide rolls his eyes. Kaneki’s getting good at that. 

"All right. Come here." Nishiki drops down on one of the ruined chairs as he beckons them closer. Kaneki grabs Hide's fingers, carefully holding them with his, and pulling Hide with him. They stand in front of Nishiki. 

Nishiki begins tiredly, "Do you, Kaneki--"

"Wait, you're just going to skip to the last part?" Kaneki asks.

"--Ken, take this dumbass," Nishiki waves his hand dismissively at Hide, "as your husband?" Nishiki says offhandedly, ignoring Hide's sudden outburst.

"I do," Kaneki replies. All heart and boundless confidence. Like it's the only thing that matters. 

"And you, Nagachika, do you take this guy as your husband?"

"Duh."

"Great. Now you two idiots are husbands. Congrats. I'm going home." Nishiki stands up and heads towards the exit. 

Hide inhales deeply, fixing his tattered tie. When he gives Kaneki an almost bashful look, it's a sentiment that's returned by his husband. Wow. Husband.

Look at them, in love with each other for years and suddenly they're shy and hopeless, like a new couple sitting across one another, wondering when it's the right time to kiss.

But they're married. They're husbands so Hide doesn't hesitate when he leans forward and playful presses a kiss on Kaneki’s lips. Kaneki blinks, and then he grins and he sneakily puts his arms around Hide's waist. Kaneki returns the favor. 

Kissing Kaneki is a simple thing but it's enough for now. Besides, all extraordinary things start from simple beginnings. 

Hide carries with him three precious things. They aren't even his.

The first item is a black marker pen. It's old and the ink is already dried but Hide keeps it and brings it anywhere with him. Sometimes when he sits, he feels the marker protruding from his pocket and Hide pats the spot gently.

He remembers his father's words ‘keep this for me until I get back, okay?’ But his father never comes back and Hide doesn't know what to do with the marker. So he just carries it.

When he loses it, Hide cries and Kaneki asks what's wrong and Hide says, "my stomach hurts" because he can't find the words to describe the feeling he gets when he knows he’s just lost something precious he’ll never get back.

The second item is a book, Black Goat's Egg, signed by Takatsuki Sen. Hide doesn't like reading that much but he's a curious soul so he browses the pages - interest garnered - and he begins to read it.

Hide doesn't reach the end though. The story is too dark for him. He closes it and he envisions Kaneki; sitting in his bed, book in his lap, windows wide, and the wind is gentle. It's a lovely sight to behold.

Hide smiles. His scars hurt. He sends the book to his friend. He hopes Haise Sasaki appreciates it.

The third item is a can of coffee. Hide's keeping it for Ikuma because sometimes Ikuma forgets to take care of himself. Especially when the music comes to life and the sun brightens and under the trees in the middle of the city, Ikuma sits and strums his guitar and let the tune dance.

People stop and go but Hide always sits next to his friend. He can't sing any longer so Ikuma sings a little louder for both of them and this moment is the most precious thing of all. He gives the last can of coffee to Ikuma.

The ghoul blinks at him and smiles softly.

"You're leaving," he says. It's not a question. Hide signs, 'yes'. He's probably not coming back. Ikuma leans closer and kisses Hide's cheek. Hide feels an insurmountable amount of sadness at the tenderness and he allows it to nestle in his chest. Ikuma is always too kind.

In another world, I could have been happy with him.

(He never gets to keep anything important to him)

Years later, when the world is at peace, Hide travels the world. He stands in the middle of the desert sand dune, a grin on his face as he watches the golden color painting his vision. He picks up his camera and snaps a picture.

He's not going to live forever but these pictures will last a lifetime. He hears almost nothing but the sound of heavy footsteps behind him.

"Hide, I love you, but this is just too much. I'm going to die," Kaneki whines. "There's nothing here but sand, and sand, and sand, and, oh! Yes, more sand."

Hide laughs at the other. "Giving up already? We've still got so many places to visit." Kaneki makes a face. Hide laughs some more. His scars don't hurt as much. "No one told you to follow me." Hide grins. Kaneki rolls his eyes.

Hide takes another step forward and Kaneki follows him because Kaneki says he goes where Hide goes and Hide lets him because he likes looking back and knowing that Kaneki will always be there.

(Kaneki looks at Hide when he laughs; the sunlight falls on Hide and his hair looks like a messy bunch of flowers put together; bright and devouring and everlasting sunbeams and Kaneki is utterly in love. He wonders if Hide knows he has Kaneki's heart in the palm of his hand)

(That’s the one thing Hide gets to keep forever)

Hide's first thought is: ah, shit. We've definitely crashed the wrong wedding again.

Hide's second thought is: the man escorting us out is ripped. Those arms. Damn. 

Hide's last thought is: Yoriko owes me big time. Again. 

He finally glances at a stricken Yoriko. The girl is reading a small white card (Hide doesn't want to know how she’s managed to 'acquire' it) while resting her giant water gun on her shoulder. 

The man behind them is quiet. Probably confused, too. Yet he follows his instruction well: make sure Hide and Yoriko leave the wedding venue peacefully. 

"I don't understand. I got the address right! It should have been Takeomi's wedding we crashed! Not someone else's!" Yoriko laments. 

"Let me see." Hide snatches the card from her and reads it instead. His eyes narrow. "You got the date wrong, you idiot. You're two weeks too early. This is ridiculous."

"What?" Yoriko snatches it back. She inspects it and whispers, "Oh." 

Hide sighs. "You know, it'd be a lot easier if you just tell him not to go along with this arranged marriage thing, right? Kuroiwa loves you."

"But that's-" Yoriko pipes in, stops, and then her shoulders droop. "That's too much of a work."

"And crashing a wedding is not?" Hide blurts out. "Seriously. What's the story? You two dated. Then broke up. Then dated again. Then broke up again. But this time the guy's forced to marry a girl of his mother's choosing? There's a whole ass b-rated drama going on here." 

Yoriko ignores him and continues to pout in quietly. Oh well. Hide's got a more important matter to focus on right now. He looks over his shoulder. The man is still following them. Hide grins. 

"I like your eyebrows," he starts as an icebreaker. 

The man blinks. "I'm sorry?"

"You like guys?" Hide quickly blurts out. The man tilts his head, observing Hide as if he’s is trying to undo Hide inside out. And well, Hide is not expecting the amused gaze from the other. His lips purse into a small grin.

"I sure do," he answers, voice light. 

"Great! Awesome." Hide plucks the card from Yoriko's hand, procures his emergency pen from his pocket, and writes down his number on it. He ignores Yoriko's low 'Hide, really? Now? This isn't the time to scout for a dick', which is whatever. The man is ripped. And his eyebrows are pretty. His eyes are even prettier. 

So yeah, Hide wants to get to know the man. He hands over the card, now with his number scribbled behind it. The man easily takes it.

"The name's Nagachika Hideyoshi. But you can call me Hide."

"Kaneki Ken. Kaneki is fine," he replies. Kaneki finally lets out a small chuckle. "You're a walking disaster. You crashed my friend's wedding." 

Hide winces. "Uh, sorry?"

"Don't be. Rize deserved it," Kaneki happily says. Hide's eyes brighten and he decides to be a little bolder.

"A shy first kiss happens only after a third date," Hide tuts. "I'm not an easy man to please." 

Kaneki chuckles some more. This time, he's walking next to Hide. Their steps are slower than Yoriko's as they exchange pleasantries, shoulders touching and hips bumping. And yeah, Hide likes Kaneki's personality, too, so it's a big win for him.

When they're finally outside, Yoriko leaves with her ridiculously big water gun and a bad mood. Hide leaves with Kaneki's number and a promised date.

Two weeks later, he and Yoriko crash another wedding. Hide just goes along with Yoriko because he loves his dearest friend. 

But at least this time, Kaneki joins them. It's his and Kaneki's third date after all and what's a better way to spend it than crashing a wedding together?

(Hide finally gets his kiss, too. That's the best part)

Hide finds a quiet and secluded spot to rest.

He's surprised no one has taken the corner but then again party means mingling and so people are scattered about, burying themselves in a group and chattering aimlessly. 

Hide sighs and fixes his tie. When he hears familiar approaching footfalls, Hide looks up and smiles a gentle smile at Kaneki. 

"You forgot your cakes," Kaneki reprimands softly. He puts the silver plate on Hide's laps because Kaneki knows him well enough that if he puts it somewhere else, Hide will forget about it again. Kaneki studies him; searches Hide's face before Kaneki's gaze falls to Hide's red twisting scars and slowly, he lets out a guilty but curious smile.

"You don’t hide your scars anymore."

Hide's only response is a shrug. Kaneki takes his leave and the silence returns like creeping waves. He stays there for a while, songs and merry voices are like distant tunes in the background. When he hears someone approaching him again, Hide expects it to be Kaneki. 

It's not. 

Yoriko stands there, smiling widely at him; her hands on her ever-growing abdomen. She's carrying and she's bright and full of life. Pregnancy looks good on Yoriko. Her husband is a lucky man.

She takes her seat next to him and grabs Hide's plate, carefully grabbing the fork and eating the sweets carefully. 

"Hey, that's mine." Hide pouts. 

Yoriko hums. "Not like you're going to eat it," she says and keeps eating the precious sugary treasure. It's quiet again. And then Yoriko speaks, "Your scars are healing."

"I suppose."

Hide looks at her and she just raises her eyebrows at him. "Tell me the heroic tale of how you got your scars."

Hide laughs. He almost chokes. Yoriko just blinks at him, confused.

"What?" Then she falters. "Was-- was that too forward or--"

"No no, it's okay." Hide wipes the lingering tears. Funny. Sweet Yoriko assumes everyone is eager to talk about their scars because scars are something you should be proud of. She's always too kind. 

"I got mine when I tried to save the man I love."

"Oh!" Yoriko's smile brightens. A little bit sad, too. 'The man he loves' she mutters gently and asks, "Who is he?" 

"That one," Hide whispers, pointing at the man standing in the middle of the room. Yoriko cheerily follows his line of sight and like a wilted flower, her smile slowly diminishes until it disappears completely. 

She doesn't tear her eyes away from Kaneki, who's standing happily next to his wife with his son in his arms as he speaks comfortably to Yomo; easy and at ease, like nothing in the world can hurt him. The man Hide's in love with. 

Yoriko looks back at Hide and the revelation in her eyes is so raw and saddening to look at. Yoriko is always too kind. 

She puts the empty plate on the table and - ever so kindly - takes Hide's hand in hers. Their fingers touch, strong and tender, and Hide clenches her hand tighter, soaking in Yoriko's offered kindness. 

Yoriko doesn't say ‘Kaneki should have picked you’ because Kaneki is married to her best friend and Yoriko cares for her friend's joy so instead she says, "Well, he’s not that cute. You could definitely do better."

Hide quickly puts his hand on his mouth but the sound already has escaped him. Now he laughs with a fist of joy encloses around his broken heart. Yoriko grins at him. 

Eyes are on them.

Hide takes a deep breath and exhales; his chest is lighter. "Yeah, yeah, I guess you're right."

Mistakes are made. Sometimes someone falls in love with the wrong person for the right reasons and that’s okay. But Yoriko is right, given time, he can do better. 

Hide knows ghouls bow down to Kaneki. But he's never witnessed such a spectacle before - until now.

Kaneki stands amongst his people, eyes surveying the ghouls as they kneel before him. Kaneki speaks, his speech is short but precise; voice determined and assertive. The very definition of a regal silver king.

Then his eyes flicker to Hide's and the king's gaze momentarily softens - as if the king is staring at something so reverently precious. Hide tilts his head down at that. Unused to such an open affection.

Later in his room, Hide sits on his bed, massaging his foot. It's been a long, stressful day and it has not been easy to maintain the newly-built fragile peace. Hide hears someone enters his room and he looks up to see Kaneki closing the door behind him. He observes Hide steadily before his eyes fall on Hide's foot.

“Busy day?” Kaneki asks.

Hide sighs. He carefully tries to conceal the scars behind his bandana. “You have no idea. Marude barely gave anyone a break. Especially me.”

Kaneki beams warmly at Hide. He moves towards the human and kneels down in front of Hide. The blond opens his mouth but the words are heavy on his tongue. Kaneki gently grasps one of Hide's heels and applies soft pressure to it, eyes suddenly mischievous. 

Kaneki rubs Hide’s toe playfully and the human chuckles a bit, ticklish, but no no no, this is wrong-- Hide quickly grabs Kaneki's shoulders and motions the king to stand up. Kaneki obliges, staring down at Hide, confused.

“Hide, what--”

“What are you doing?” Hide asks ridiculously. “Kaneki, you're a king. You kneel to no one. Ever.”

Kaneki blinks. Then wordlessly, he takes his previous position, kneeling down once more; eyes so affectionately tender as he looks up at Hide.

Hide inhales loudly. “Kaneki,” he reprimands.

“You're not just anyone, Hide,” Kaneki states. “In your presence, I'm not a king. I'm your lover. I am yours. I am yours, Hide. There are no duties or titles between us.”

Kaneki reaches forward to pecks Hide's forehead as quick as a wink. Hide's face reddens and Kaneki seems to take pleasure in that.

Resigned, Hide links his arms around Kaneki’s neck and rests his head on Kaneki’s shoulder. Kaneki hums and puts his hands on Hide's back, protective and warmth. Time stretches on and on.

At this moment, they are celestials, like gods without destinies and boundaries; the joy he feels is endless. When Hide chuckles, his cheeks hurt and his scarred mouth curls into a sincerest smile. He might as well be on the clouds, on the moon. 

Hide might as well have the gentlest kind of epilogue in the palms of his hands.

Kaneki broke up with Hide about a year ago.

Or maybe it was longer than that. It didn't matter. He woke up an hour ago and it was a good morning and a good morning should be spent wisely. Like enjoying music.

Hide stretched and yawned, humming to the song on the radio before he increased the volume; the tune was unbound and light. Bob Marley, Hide thought and smiled to himself. Kaneki used to mouth the lyrics.

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.

Hide started dancing a little bit. He only stopped when his gaze fell on the picture hanging on the wall; of him and Kaneki standing so close to one another, taken years ago. They weren't together at that time, just two best friends sharing a gentle, naive love. Hide didn't put the picture away because it was okay now and looking at Kaneki no longer hurt him.

(Thank you, Kaneki had said when Hide accepted his confession. I'm sorry, Kaneki had whispered when he ended their relationship.)

Sure. Yeah. Kaneki broke up with him.

Now, Hide lived alone. He woke up alone. He listened to his music alone. He had dinner alone. He did his grocery alone. He did most things alone. People thought he was lonely. They were wrong, of course. Hide felt free and when he smiled for all the little silly things that brought him joy, Hide smiled for himself. He didn't lose everything. Hide had learned to stop viewing Kaneki Ken as the shape of his happiness and he'd succeeded.

Now, Hide got to live. He got to live. And it felt so good.

"They have Nagachika," Nishiki states quickly.

Kaneki's movement comes to a complete halt; fingers twitch and face ashen. The room is slowly shrouded in uncertainty and a cold revelation. Hide? His Hide? Taken?

Ayato hisses. "I told you. I told you we should have crushed those ghouls before they came--"

"Ayato," Nishiki warns him. Kaneki is grateful for that. He can't think properly like this. Not when--

"Maybe we should-- what? Make a deal? Maybe bargain with them?" Banjou suggests weakly.

At that, Kaneki quickly looks up. His eye bleeds red and his chest is drowned in darkened misery; raw with anger and fear. Bargain? After they've taken what Kaneki loves above all else? Never.

"No. No bargaining. Gather the others. We're getting Hide back," he finally orders.

Tsukiyama observes him, seemingly more confused than anything. "Then what? Kaneki, you're sending our people to die for a human? Yes, he is your friend but the lives of many worth so much more than just one--"

"Not to me." Kaneki's voice is so dangerously low. He has to refrain himself from snarling at the other. "Nothing in this world worth the cost of Hide's life," Kaneki confesses truthfully.

His trusted circles study him for a moment before they sag, accepting his answer as it is. Kaneki takes his leaves and the others follow soundlessly.

He stays true to his words. No bargaining. No survivors. Kaneki razes down the place, cuts down those that attempt to stop him. Everything burns and breaks. Screams are silenced before they're uttered as he moves like a nightmarish beast amongst his preys.

Kaneki finds Hide eventually. The human is covered in blue and red, thin scratches all over his skin. The anger returns but the smile Hide bestows him is so astoundingly bright and tender that it's enough to soothe Kaneki's ache.

Kaneki gathers Hide into his arms and looks at him like Hide is the loveliest thing in the world. He is. Softly, Kaneki kisses Hide as if he wants Hide to know how deeply treasured he is but Hide just stares warmly at Kaneki like he’s known about it all along. Like he's been waiting for Kaneki to show it to him. So Kaneki leans in again and kisses him some more.

He's always going to choose Hide over the entire world. Always.

"Wow." Hide grins when they part. "You must really love me."

Kaneki rolls his eyes, silently content. 

"Oh, you have no idea."

The first time Kaneki realizes he's not aging is when he looks at Hide and notices the changes on Hide's face; scarred, battle-hardened wounds that are slowly diminishing, taken by time. He asks Kimi about his condition and she gives him an odd look and says ‘give me time’.

Then he asks her again and again and her answer stays the same, ‘I'm not sure. Give me time’. It goes on for a while until Kaneki starts to believe that even Kimi has no answers to spare. Eventually, Kaneki leaves it be. He's married to Hide now. His husband should be his priority.

A decade later, Hide runs his fingers along Kaneki’s cheeks, noticing how Kaneki hasn't aged, still as young and as beautiful. The human says nothing. Kaneki holds Hide's hand in his and smiles at the other but his smile doesn't reach his eyes. Hide blinks, softens, and reaches out to kiss the furrowed spot between Kaneki’s eyes.

Hide looks absolutely happy and Kaneki refuses to take that away from him. Hide asks Kaneki to recite a story for him but Kaneki talks about interstellar space and tiny traces of elements that create the stars, instead. When Hide goes to sleep, Kaneki's sight lingers on the human's ever-changing face, touched by time.

Then time goes on and on as if it sprouts wings and floats aimlessly all around them. In the safety of their home, Hide laughs when Kaneki tickles him before he playfully shoves the half-ghoul away. Kaneki sighs and falls next to Hide on their bed.

Sixty years into their marriage and Kaneki knows no other happiness that can make his chest bloom so fervently as the one he feels when Hide kisses him and wraps Kaneki in his arms. This right here is the definition of joy. Kaneki studies his husband, fingers trailing Hide's face; beautiful still, even when time doesn't stop for him.

Unlike Kaneki, whose face is never cracked by age.

I love you, Kaneki whispers. And like a traveler with too many maps scatter about and with too many miles too count, Kaneki knows that he's always ever been searching for Hide, has always ever been looking for the human; hopelessly in love with Hide and vows to follow him wherever he goes.

One day, Hide will go to a place where Kaneki cannot find him.

But then Hide whispers that nothing is wasted when you live and you love it all and for a moment, Kaneki thinks it’s still early to think of goodbyes when they still have too many moments to live and cherish together.

The future can wait.

--

When Hide looked up, the first thing he saw was kagune shooting right towards him, ripping through his skin and bones, fracturing his body. Red liquid pooled beneath him like melted steel.

The last thing he heard was Kaneki’s blood-curdling scream.

The last thing he saw was Kaneki running towards him.

Hide fell and he slept.

--

Hide hummed as he felt a pair of heavy arms around him, loose and soft, cocooning Hide like a folded blanket. Hide leaned into it, feeling unfamiliar with the way he was responding to the heat. Hide snuggled some more - eyes still shut. He smiled when someone kissed his hair lovingly, playing with his neck and cradling his waist gently and--

Hide choked on air and quickly gained his momentum, sitting up and trying to suck all the air around him. He couldn't breathe as he beheld his surrounding. He was somewhere unknown; on a comfy bed, in a white room. White white white all over. No danger.

“Hide? Hide, what's wrong?” a voice called out. Hide looked down and what greeted him was a pair of beautiful clear eyes he'd known almost his whole life.

But they were also different.

“Kaneki?” Hide blinked. He moved away a little bit when Kaneki pressed his elbows on the bed to take a closer look at the blond. Kaneki’s face creased in concern but despite that, a tint of soft affection was pure and constant in Kaneki's gaze. 

This is different. This is not right. He’s looking at me differently.