Hello, and thank you for reading! This fic, unlike my other ongoing Tokyo Ghoul fic, is not really plot-centric, though there is (a small, admittedly thinly developed) one. It's mostly focused on my favourite TG ships and my favourite feels: angst and fluff. It's also based on a series of headcanons about how each couple would handle an unplanned pregnancy, which were sent to me by my sister, mercyandmagic. (Obviously, this was written before the Touken pregnancy reveal in the manga.)

Ships to be explored are Touken, Ayahina, Akiramon, Mutsurie, Tsukikana, Nishikimi, Uihai, and Seidou/Kurona. Background ships include Saiko/Hsiao, Naki/Miza, Yoriko/Takeomi, Arieto, and Yomo/Uta. Also of note: dead characters are (for the most part) alive... but as for how, alas, I've no idea. You can assume most things that happened in canon actually happened (besides the pregnancy), except maybe the characters were just mostly dead and were revived by Miracle Max (or, you know, Kanou), or they were just injured and survived, or you can create your own headcanon about how they're alive.

How can someone just disappear?

"Sorry," says Takeomi with a grimace and a shrug. "We still can't find anything on Furuta." The scrapes of silverware against porcelain plates echo through the bakery.

Hinami nods. "Thank you anyways." She slips her phone into her pocket and pulls her bag across her chest, tightening her grip on the straps. Her heart plummets.

It's been two months since the CCG fell apart and Goat came out into the open. The people of Tokyo are still trying to get used to the idea of living among ghouls—and, of course, there are some ghouls who refuse to stop preying on humans and eat the dead, and those ghouls are complicating everything. And there's the matter of Furuta escaping and somehow still managing to evade capture.

"Hinami!" calls Yoriko, flitting out from behind the counter. Her smile relaxes some of the tension in Hinami's shoulders. "Tell Touka she better come by soon! I can make coffee—well, I'm sure hers is better." Yoriko presses her lips together, shaking her head. "I still can't believe she used to eat my food when she couldn't digest it. Did she make you eat it, too?"

Hinami shakes her head. Two older women enter the bakery. Their gazes land on Hinami. Takeomi stiffens.

They recognize me, don't they? She knows she's been in some shots on the news.

Maybe they lost people to ghouls. Hinami swallows. Their eyes bore into Hinami's shoulders like laser beams, and she suddenly feels slick with sweat. If they call her a ghoul—there was a lynching the other day, and the ghoul snapped and attacked the humans who did it.

One of the women hobbles towards her.

"I'll take that one!" Hinami points to a croissant, smile bright and so, so fake. Anything to lessen suspicion. Takeomi nods as if impressed. Yoriko wraps it up for her, and Hinami pays and ducks past the two women. She stuffs the croissant in her mouth, swallowing a bite without tasting it. See, I can eat—I'm human—I'm still ashamed of being a ghoul. Or maybe it's just practical.

What would it taste like to you humans? she wonders. To Hinami it tastes like she imagines rat droppings would taste.

I'm out, she texts Ayato.

Thank God. He slips beside her a few blocks past the bakery. "I was getting worried," he teases, even though he knows she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself ,and Takeomi and Yoriko are hardly threatening. Then again, trusting humans is hard.

Hinami grabs his hand and yanks him into an alleyway. She doubles over, vomit surging up her throat before she even shoves her fingers down her throat. She tosses the croissant onto the ground. It lands with a splat on the mess.

Ayato's hands grip her shoulder, pulling her back up. "Better?"

"I don't get how they can eat that," Hinami mumbles. She almost wishes she could though—she saw two huge-eyed children with their grubby fingers pressed against the glass case, grinning and oohing as they pointed out the pastries that called to them. "Nothing. Takeomi hasn't found a thing."

Ayato sighs. "Maybe Furuta offed himself. No one would mourn."

"Ayato!"

"What?"

She shakes her head and takes his hand. "Let's go tell Kaneki."

When they return to the new :re, Kaneki springs to his feet.

"Nothing," Ayato reports for her.

Hinami's chest feels tight. Are you disappointed in me?

Kaneki clutches her shoulder. "You did well, Hinami."

"Yoriko wants to stop by later this week," Hinami says to Touka as the older girl hands Hinami a cup of coffee.

"I'll text her." But Hinami knows Touka worries about endangering Yoriko, and her business. Half of Tokyo is enamored with Goat; the rest hates them.

Hinami lifts the cup to her lips. The steam slaps at her face and sets her stomach churning. Did I not get all of that croissant up?

"You should," Kaneki encourages.

Ayato nods from behind her. Hinami gulps the coffee. It stings in her stomach. She crosses her arms. A shudder running through her.

"Are you okay?" Kaneki questions.

"Tired," Hinami manages, shoving her empty cup away from her. She rushes away, to the apartment she and Touka share above the shop, barely making it before she leans over the toilet and heaves.

Footsteps crunch behind her. "Guess I didn't get it all up," Hinami manages.

Ayato crouches down next to her, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his chin into her shoulder. "Maybe someday Kimi will figure out how to get us to taste pastries without losing our lunch too."

Hinami laughs, struggling to her feet. Ayato holds his hands up, a mischievous smile on his face as if he's asking for her to pull him up. Hinami obliges. "I don't think you want to—" she starts, but his lips close over hers anyways.

"You still taste good," he murmurs into her ear.

Touka will probably give her time to rest. Exhaustion pulls at Hinami's eyelids, at her limbs, but she pushes Ayato back towards the bed. He falls back, hair splaying in long indigo strands across a yellow quilt. Hinami's mouth breaks into his. His hands rove under her skirt. Hinami's pulse speeds up, and she falls, carried away past the stress and constant fear of the world they live in.

He cradles her head against his chest, both of them slick with sweat, and she can hear his heartbeats. Hinami watches through the window as a few brown, long dead leaves finally break from a tree drift to the ground.

You came for me. In Cochlea. When she worried about Akira, he stood nearby, not advising her, not condemning her, but letting her cry. Hinami squeezes her eyes shut, remembering the contrast with the first time she met him. "Your sister might come back soon."

Ayato groans. "Dammit." He shifts away from her and she's suddenly cold. Hinami pulls herself up, grabbing her bra and dress, shimming into her underwear. She pauses, studying the curves of his shoulder blades and the way his earring bangs against his neck as he yanks on his jeans. We were both so lost then. And even if all else fails… you'll be with me.

"What?" Ayato asks, noticing her stare.

I love you, Hinami thinks. She smiles.

"Love you too," mumbles Ayato, hobbling into his shoes.

Hinami wakes to the scent of coffee jabbing itself up her nostrils. She grimaces and rubs her eyes. Touka's already up for the day and nods at Hinami as she runs a brush through her hair.

Hinami swallows. She heads for the bathroom, slipping into her clothes and heading down the stairs. Tsukiyama asked her to visit.

Touka shoves a cup of coffee at her. Hinami accepts it. Akira and Amon sit at the counter in :re, Amon's arm around her waist and the door still with its "closed" sign.

"Good morning," Hinami says to them.

Akira blinks and nods at her. "Morning." Amon gives her a soft smile.

He helped kill my parents. Hinami doesn't hate him—they've talked; they've put it behind them. Her eyes sting. The coffee sits black and violently hot in her cup. What's wrong with me?

I miss them.

I'm so sad today. And yesterday.

She reminds herself Akira lost her father too and looks over at the woman. Long blond hair falls over Akira's shoulder as she tears at a donut. Amon watches enviously—it's still just a dream for him as well as Hinami.

The sound of the soft pastry tearing catches Hinami's ears. The sweet smell poisons the coffee on her tongue. She pushes her chair back. "Excuse me."

"Hinami?" asks Touka, but she's barreling up the stairs and—oh, shit, now Akira will probably blame herself. It has nothing to do with you; only the pastry you're eating!

Hinami throws herself in front of the toilet, hugging the bowl as she gags. It's mostly bile at this point. Tears stream from her eyes. How can I still have any of that croissant left in me?

Her eyes focus on a purple plastic wrapper in the trashcan. Touka's.

Oh.

Fear shoots through Hinami. She hooks her hand around the counter, dragging herself to her feet. Her throat closes as she squeezes her eyes shut, trying to wrack her memory.

You're overreacting—it's been stressful—it's not possible—it's definitely not happening.

October—no, September. She remembers Karren making a dumb joke about periods when she visited her and Tsukiyama, and Hinami turned scarlet.

September.

Hinami claps her hands to her face, shoulders shaking. What have I done? It's not—they've used birth control.

Maybe I'm just sick because of the croissant. Hinami googles on her phone.

It has to be the croissant.

It has to be.

She presses her chest to see if there's any pain. There is, but maybe she's just pressing too hard. She's tired, but she's also been through a lot the past few months, so it doesn't have to mean anything—it's all going to be fine—

Hinami pulls up her texts and tells Shuu she's tired and will have to skip today. And she texts Ayato. I need to talk to you.

He appears within a half hour, hair still mussed from sleep. "Does this have to do with you running out on Amon and Akira this morning? Touka told me—you shouldn't feel—"

"No," Hinami blurts out, suddenly cold. She shudders and drops onto the floor. "I mean, I suppose. I ran out because I—was sick again."

Ayato swears, dropping down next to her. He puts his hand on her shoulder. "Do you want to see if Banjou—"

"I don't think he'll be able to help."

"Why not?"

"Ayato…" Hinami plucks at the threads in her skirt. She sucks in her belly and wonders.

"Yeah?" He holds her. He strokes her hair.

If I say it, it will feel real. Or maybe he'll laugh and convince her this is an overactive imagination, or maybe—he won't be angry, will he?"

"Hinami?" he questions.

She spins her head around to face him, the floor chilled under her. Outside, more snow falls. "I think I might be pregnant."

Ayato can feel the warmth and color draining from his face. Hinami's eyes, bulging, shine with tears. She wipes them away. "Are—are you joking?"

She shakes her head, yanking at the hem of her skirt. Her breaths come short and quick.

Ayato feels like he's drowning, like air suddenly doesn't work for his lungs, for his brain. He grips her shoulders. "Why—is it just because you've been sick?"

She can't look at him. "My last period was in September."

September?

Dammit!

A sob breaks from Hinami's lips. Ayato shakes his head, sliding his arms completely around her. "Have you—taken a test?"

"No."

"I'll get—one." Which ones are the best ones? he wonders. Are there some that are better than others?

"What if I am?" she asks, her hair soft against his cheek, his nose. "What do I do?"

"We'll figure it out," he answers. It wouldn't be on you alone. His voice scratches his throat. "You'll be—we'll—work it out."

This could actually be happening.

Hinami slumps in relief. Did you really think I wouldn't take care of you? Ayato thinks, indignant. Well, he will. "No matter what you want to do—if it's positive, negative—we'll figure it out, okay?" I love you.

I just have no idea what I'm going to do.

She nods.

Focus on buying the tests, Ayato tells himself. Hinami crawls back into bed and he heads outside, the icy morning air chafing at his face. He ducks his head. With his heartbeat echoing in his ears, it hits him. Hanami might be pregnant. Might be. Preg-nant.

Ayato cringes as he heads into the pharmacy. No one look at me, you losers. He crouches down in the family planning aisle, eyes scanning the boxes. Why are there so many brands? Which is the best? Google's even failing him here.

"Can I help you?" chirps an older employee with a rather disgusting scent. Even so, Ayato has half a mind to go full ghoul on her for interrupting and terrifying him.

"No," he says quickly, grabbing a box. And this one. He spots a third and grabs that too.

"Ah." The woman nods, rolling her lips in as she takes in Ayato. What are you staring at, you old hag? "For your girlfriend?"

She knows I'm too young to have a wife. Although in theory if Yoriko is married, he's not that young. Ayato's face burns scarlet. He turns and stalks off towards the registrar.

The woman ringing him up raises her eyebrows but says nothing, so Ayato wishes her a pleasant day before he stalks back outside, concealing the bag next to him. The straps dig into his fingers.

It'll be okay. Even if she is pregnant. They have each other, and Hinami—he loves her because she reminds him of what he loses sight of, because she shines like a north star and roots him. She reminds him of possibilities, of smiles and tears and laughter, things besides blood and blows.

Ayato pushes open the door to :re.

"Oh good, you're back," Yomo remarks. Those three bodyguards of Kaneki's, the kids, glug coffee. Shio grins at Ayato.

"If you have something for me to do, please tell His Majesty that I am busy," Ayato retorts.

Yomo groans as he stalks for the stairs. But this can't wait. His sanity can't take it.

Hinami rolls her eyes when he announces that he had to battle Yomo to get back upstairs. "Did you get it?"

He dumps the bag on the bed. "Three different ones."

Hinami's eyes bug out. "Which one should I try?"

"All of them? Like what if one gives a false positive, or a false negative—we want to be sure, don't we?"

Hinami giggles. She tosses him one of the packages. "Read the instructions. This one says two stripes means pregnant." She grabs another box.

"This one's digital and fancy," Ayato reports. "It will pop up and tell you "pregnant" or not." He scans the rest of the instructions. They seem like they're geared towards women who want to be pregnant. Do we want to be? His hands shake.

"This one's just another two stripes," Hinami reports. She gathers the boxes in her arms and vanishes into the bathroom.

Oh, hell. Ayato interlocks his fingers behind his head, pacing back and forth.

"Ayato?" Hinami calls.

He jumps. It's only been about—well, less than a minute. Most ask for a two minute wait.

"You can come in," Hinami says. "I'm—I don't want to wait alone."

You're scared. Ayato rushes into the tiny bathroom. Hinami sits on the edge of the bathtub, the sticks all resting next to her. Her head hangs low, chin scraping her chest. He drops down onto the bathmat and takes her hands.

She shudders and clings to him, nails digging into his skin. He closes his eyes.

Hinami's phone beeps. She mutters a curse and picks up the first stick. She sucks in her breath.

Oh God.

She spins it around. "Is that a second stripe?"

Ayato squints. "I—I don't know?" It's there, for sure, but it's faint. He peers over.

The stripes are bright pink and parallel on the second test. Pregnant, reads the digital one. Hinami's hands cover her mouth. Ayato's stomach churns.

Hinami sniffles, wiping at her cheeks. Ayato pushes himself up, throws his arms around her, holds her. We'll be okay. "It's okay," he chokes out. "It'll all be okay."

"I don't—know what I feel," Hinami manages, tears wet and sticky against his neck. She tightens her fists around his sweatshirt.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm—I—we're so young and—I don't know how I'll—but I'm—also—kind of happy."

Happy? Ayato's breath catches. You want this baby.

You want my baby. Our baby.

I do, too. "Okay."

She has no idea how to tell Touka. Or Kaneki. Or anyone. Ayato said he would help her, but they need a few days. She switches off her phone, where she's been googling about how large her baby is. Although she doesn't even know how far along she is. It's fun to imagine though. Hinami wraps her arms around her midsection.

Would you be happy for me, Mom, Dad? Or would you be disappointed?

Knowing her mother, she'd insist on taking Hinami to a doctor, and then out shopping for maternity clothes and cute onesies. A smile spreads over her lips.

Her phone lights up with a message from Ayato. I'm just worried that everyone will get all upset. It's not exactly an ideal time to have a child.

With Furuta still on the loose.

Hinami's throat pinches. She grits her teeth.

I don't want to have a child who will just grow up to be an orphan.

That hits Hinami like a blow to her stomach.

Can we meet downstairs? he asks.

In all honesty, Hinami just wants to curl up under her blankets and sleep and pretend he didn't text this to her. But she agrees.

In the deserted café, she finds Ayato pacing back and forth, shoes scuffing on the floor. "Ayato?"

He turns to her, seizing her in a hug as if she's his salvation.

Hinami stiffens.

"What are we doing, Hinami?" he croaks out.

"Huh?" She pulls back, peering up at his face.

Ayato's jaw works. "I mean—we're so young—we're too young—when I bought the test, they looked at me like—and I've lectured Kaneki about responsibility and now they'll all think I've—been a hypocrite—how are we going to do this?"

Hinami's throat tightens. "But—you said—"

"It's fine," Ayato insists. "I just—I don't know—I'm—we're too young—your parents are dead, mine are—dead and my father was an idiot and got himself killed—how are we going to have a kid? How can we be parents? We're going to be terrible! I'll be the worst father in the world!" He clutches his face.

Hinami's chest burns. The dim lights seem even blacker to her. "And I'll be the worst mother?"

Ayato freezes. "No—you'll be—that's not what I meant—"

"Then what did you mean?" Hinami fires back. Her arms shake. Tears fill her eyes, stinging and choking her. "I thought you—I thought you said we—" I want this baby, I'm scared, but I still want it, but if you don't—

"Oh, shit," Ayato says, as if he's realized too late just how much his words hurt her.

Hinami doubles over, crying.

His hands hover over her. "I didn't mean—you'll be a great mother, I'm just—I'm not a good—"

"But you'd try, wouldn't you?" Hinami shoots back. "Or would you—run away—"

"No!" Ayato grabs her. "I'm—I'm sorry—Hinami—" His voice breaks.

Are you crying now, too?

"We can try," Hinami chokes out. "We can—do this—" But not alone.

Ayato's fingers run through her hair. His chest shudders. "We can," he ekes out.

"Wow," comes a voice from behind them. "Already making more ghouls, huh?"

She whirls around, Ayato leaping in front of her.

Suzuya Juuzou grins at them.

Again, thanks for reading! This fic is also completed, and will be updated on days when I am not updating my other TG fic (so, three times a week.)