My first attempt at TouKen genderbent, so please be kind
lots of fluff so be prepared for feels and humour
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Touya stood by the bar in silence, absentmindedly polishing silver wear after finally finishing the task of cleaning the bar. Making sure everything was prepared for the following day for when new or returning customers paid visit. Though it was a cover and safe haven for ghouls, it was still a career and a business in which they had to take seriously.
The work was hard and tiring and often stressful, but it allowed them a normal life and friendships. Things that would be hard to come across as a rogue ghoul standing on their own feet. But here they could live in peace without fear of being hunted, to be able to eat without guilt of consuming humans, to be able to have a semi normal existence.
He peered through his bangs quietly, his violet blue eyes intense. Gazing at Kanako as she went about her work as they finished up for the day. He was aware that his actions may come across as creepy or misunderstood, thus he was trying to be subtle about it. His gaze being drawn to her no matter how hard he tried to distract himself or get on with his work.
There was just something about her that made his heart ache and his mind become full of her. He had found himself drawn to Kanako, in a way he could not explain in words. These new feelings growing inside of him confused him greatly. Back when they first met that day in the alley, he had just found her to be an annoying cry-baby like every other girl.
She panicked and freaked out when they first met and tried to pretend everything was ok. Going as far as to starve and deny herself sustenance, to which he was stunned she had not died. Neglecting her ghoul nature and trying to go back to her old life, when deep down she had to accept that she had to accept that there was no going back.
His own frustrations and irritations of her acting like a whimpering, self pitying child angering him. Her lack of an understanding of how hard it was being a ghoul growing up testing him. But over time since her induction into Aoigiri and becoming one of them, he had learned to soften up around her. Having come to understand her a little better and even respect her somewhat.
Making him reflect on his actions and see her in a different light than he once had. She had a big heart and cared for all living things, be they ghoul or human. Every action had a meaning behind it, always trying to think rationally. She didn't kill doves like other ghouls, nor did she attack rival ghouls. Instead she showed empathy and understanding, but even carried her own limits.
Even when fighting it was in self-defense, never being the violent type. Sure she had learned how to fight thanks to hanging out with Yomo, she never used that as a weapon to take advantage of others. Though it had been hard for her, she had adapted to her ghoul side. Having slowly become more comfortable with her new community.
Knowing she could not go back and had to simply move forward, but as much as it hurt her to lie she had to keep her secrets to protect herself. But as she began to accept her ghoul side, he in turn had started to go through changes himself. Complicated feelings taking root inside of him and began to blossom within his heart. Something he had never felt before, not for anyone.
The girl whom he had once hated and saw as a pain in the ass, now became a friend and ally to him. Allowing himself to look deeper and see the woman whom she truly was. Kanako was a gentle, caring and genuinely protective young woman. As shown by how much she doted and cared for her best friend Hide and Hinami. Willing to go any lengths to protect her own.
She would not abandon those she cared for and even restrained her ghoul instincts for the sake of others when need be. She carried a strong will inside of her and motivation to follow through with what her heart told her. However, she lacked the courage to believe in herself, but she was trying to move past that. Constantly carrying guilt and blaming herself.
But one thing that surprised him above all, was how modest she was. Not only about her appearance but about her own potential. The things she had achieved and the things she could achieve. Such as how quickly she had picked up her fighting abilities and her natural defense abilities. Once honed in she had become much better at fighting back.
During her stay here at Anteiku, she had done so much for them in such a short time. Helping to fight against the doves as well as showing mercy for her enemies which was a rarity. She had formed an alliance with Nishiki, the guy who attempted to kill her best friend and even threatened her about his hunting grounds. She had even brought Tsukiyama, the guy who wanted to eat her to the good side.
She had a strong gift for seeing the best in people as well as convincing them to do better. Such as that Nishiki now worked at Anteiku to protect his girlfriend and Tsukiyama now helped to protect them from doves. If she had not helped convince him and brought him to Anteiku to heal, god knows where he would be now. Probably dead.
But that did not mean she was a perfect model ghoul by any means. Though she had learned to fight and blend into society. It had become harder for her to consume human flesh. She still cried sometimes after eating it and even scarfed it down quickly, so she would not have to look at it. Having once been human herself and was eating what had once been her kind.
Now that he looked back on it, he did feel bad for forcing her to consume human meat. She had been scared and alone, having been thrown into their world by force. Going from a normal life as a student into a flesh-eating creature. He had been harsh when having to explain to her that without it she would die, instead of calming her down and being kind.
Suddenly, he was pulled from this thoughts as Kanako approached him. Gripping the cleaning cloth that she had been using earlier to clear the tables. Having noticed how he had been spacing out more than usual when usually he was more focused be it at work or outside of it. Never showing what was bothering him externally to anyone.
Though she knew it was none of her business, she couldn't help but wonder what was on his mind. "Touya? Are you feeling ok?" she asked hesitantly, half expecting some kind of sarcastic response. He always had been the kind of guy to keep things to himself unless he was angry. Having gotten used to the fact that being snapped at meant "Leave me alone" in Touya language.
Touya snapped out of his gaze, his cheeks heating with colour. Not only feeling stupid for spacing out but being caught in the act of checking her out. However, up close he could appreciate her looks. Though he had always been aware she was pretty, before he had been distracted by a multitude of things. But now it was different, being caught had somehow allowed him to focus.
Her pale creamy skin, soft to the touch and almost glowing. Her complexion was amazing. Those shiny grey eyes that almost looked silver in the light sometimes, they looked so empty and yet alluring. Her silky black hair, the way it caressed her cheeks like silk. Though he too had black hair, hers was different. It was so fine and well cared for, somehow carrying a scent that he didn't hate.
Then there was her body, despite the baggy clothes she used to wear. She had a nicer body than he had first believed. She had perfectly sized breasts, despite the suspicion he had were not too big, nor too small but perfectly proportioned to her body. She had nice curves that were only accentuated by the uniform, as well as her creamy legs. But he had to admit, her butt wasn't too bad either.
But at the end of the day, he may have been a ghoul, but he was also a teenager guy. Even he could appreciate how pretty Kanako was, despite their past differences. But he would never say such things out loud, he knew people would rip the shit out of him if he did. Teasing him for being a softy and only acting like a big tough guy. Something he would rather avoid.
Touya quickly averted his gaze, as to not look like a pervert. Hiding his blush behind his bangs. "You done yet?" he asked abruptly, hoping to change the subject. However, he felt bad at his tone as she may mistake it for him being annoyed at her. He knew that he wasn't the easiest of guys to understand and Kanako was a very timid and self conscious girl.
Kanako blinked in surprise, having gotten used to his brash nature over time. Though it was still a little hard to understand when he was actually angry or just being sarcastic. "Uh… yes I'm done" she replied quickly. She had taken down the sign and locked the door, so people would know they were closed for the day.
Touya blinked in surprise, it was truly amazing how easily she could show her emotions. But he had to admit she looked cute with a blush on her cheeks. Maybe teasing her could prove to entertain him in the future. "You locked up?" he asked. Though it had been a long day of forcing himself to smile. They were no longer open meaning he could be himself. The two of them could relax for the remainder of their day.
Kanako blushed, she had become thorough enough with the schedule of the café. Yoshimura had given her the lowdown but settling in as of itself was harder than you would expect to understand. But over time she had memorized it well enough. She nodded in response. She wasn't used to Touya being less antagonistic towards her.
Touya sighed heavily, well it wasn't like he had anything better to do now. He put down the towel he had used for polishing behind the bar and started to leave. Time to regain the little time he had for himself. He then started heading upstairs to his room, god he couldn't wait to get out of this damn uniform at last. However, before leaving he turned to Kanako slowly. Peering over his shoulder at her.
"I'm making coffee later in my room" he replied bluntly. This was none negotiable on her part. He usually hated company of any kind, but he didn't mind her. Aside from Hinami and Yoshio. For some unknown reason, he found comfort in her company. Something about her presence brought a warmth to his soul that he could not put into words. But he didn't reject these feelings.
Kanako stood there in the café silently, his words sinking in. Her eyes widening in awe and her cheeks heating even redder than before. She had read about this sort of thing before and heard people gossiping about it. She had never been in a boy's room before, sure she was friends with Hide, but she had never gone to his house before. It was a mystery or fantasy she had imagined in her head up until now.
She averted her gaze quickly to the floor, despite the panic that was going on inside her mind. "O… Ok" she mumbled quickly. Despite her worries, she knew turning him down on his offer would be rude. I mean it wasn't often Touya was so nice after all. She may as well take this advantage to attempt to grow closer to him and get him to open up more.
Kanako and Touya sat silently in the latter's room, the silence so heavy you could hear the dripping of the tap in the background. If someone broke a glass or a pin dropped, you would hear it. Not even the background noise of people on the street to soothe her as most office workers were still on the job and students had all gone home.
Touya was currently by the stove, brewing a fresh cup of coffee for the two of them. Having invited her, it would be rude if he didn't make a beverage to break the tension in the room. He wanted her to feel comfortable and relax, she wasn't exactly good at reading situations very well due to her own social anxiety after all. So she may still have a hard time believing him.
Kanako had her hands gripped tightly on her lap like a vice. Trying to calm herself internally as to not make things awkward or make a scene. But then again, she had never been good under any sort of pressure. Before now, Touya had never said much to her in the past. He was a solitary person by nature but carried a hidden sweet side to him. But he was particular about whom he showed it too.
Eventually, Touya placed the steaming cup in front of her snapping her out of her to find a few words to say as to not seem antisocial or rude towards him; "A… Arigato" she replied quickly. It was best she drink it as fast as possible and leave before she accidentally said something she shouldn't. Somehow she always tended to say the wrong thing around him.
After sitting opposite her with his own cup, Touya continued to stare at her silently. Taking all of her in, trying to remind himself what he liked about her. Not realizing how awkward he was making the situation by doing so. His blue eyes staring into her. Making her feel like a fish on a cutting board about to be turned into a meal.
Kanako had never been used to guys paying attention to her, due to being meek and a wallflower. Sure, she hung out with Hide a lot, but he was like a brother to her due to being an only child growing up. Even when they were apart and attended college, she had never been popular with guys. Most liked to harass her and make fun of her for being so passive.
Eventually he spoke up, but she didn't get the response she was expecting. "You have pretty black hair, you should try styling it" he replied bluntly. She always wore it down, but he imagined her styling in would look good too. Maybe a French braid that fell down her shoulder, or a braided bun she could fasten with pins or ribbon. It would show off her face and neck better, which would complement her femininity.
Though he didn't mind it the way it was, experimenting with her appearance couldn't hurt. Taking pride in your appearance was not just a human thing, nor was it to do with gender. It was basic knowledge and linked to hygiene. Besides, styling her hair or changing her appearance slightly may inadvertently boost her confidence too.
Kanako went silent, her cheeks turning red. Though she knew it was Touya saying such things, for some reason her heart was racing like a jackhammer. But she felt so happy hearing these words. A shy smile then spread across her face, gripping the coffee cup in her hands. "Arigato Touya" she replied happily. Nobody had ever told her something so sweet before, it made her so happy.
She the sipped her coffee quietly, it tasted bitter yet delicious. Covering her tongue in a familiar yet comforting sensation she had become accustomed to. The one thing she had been able to retain since becoming a ghoul. A warm soothing flavour, yet different. Maybe because it wasn't made by her own hand before, but Touya's.