Warning: Kaneki/Hide.
Chapter Two
His son was napping.
His darling boy had fallen asleep watching cartoons. He chuckled and crossed his arms - shaking his head, just before draping a blanket over his son.
He began tidying, then. He knelt down - throwing toys into a box, with a tired sigh. Once he had finished, Hide went into the kitchen - brewing coffee for himself, his body needing caffeine.
XOXO
His doorbell rang.
He halted atop the stairs, with his son. He then turned around - walking back downstairs, not before frowning. He threw the door open - set to chastise his nosy neighbor, an annoying and aggravating individual.
He wasn't greeted by his neighbor, though. It was Kaneki - the one-eyed ghoul, and the father of his son.
He reacted without hesitation - moving to shut the door, just before backing away. He trembled fearfully – protectively holding his son, who was still sleeping.
XOXO
His heart fluttered frantically.
He yelped loudly, when his phone vibrated. He ran over – seeing Kaneki's number, but didn't answer. He knelt down – hugging his son, to his chest.
He didn't move, either. He sat still – ignoring Kaneki's calls, though reluctantly relenting. He couldn't stall – giving in, to the pressure.
"He's mine!" Hide sobbed, as Kaneki sighed tiredly. "I won't let you have him!"
"He isn't just your son," Kaneki stated, as Hide sniffled tearfully. "He's my son, too. And I want to see him."
"You don't have that right. Why do you care, anyway? Aren't we just unworthy humans, not good enough?"
"He isn't only human. He's also a ghoul. You can't raise him all alone, all by yourself."
"Yes, I can. And I will."
"You wouldn't know how to raise a ghoul child."
"Oh, I won't be raising a ghoul. To me, Aiden is human enough."
"You don't know that."
"Don't you dare tell me what I do and what I don't know. You weren't the one raising Aiden all these years. It was me, just me."
"It wouldn't have been that way, if you would've told me about Aiden."
"I'm glad I kept Aiden from you. He doesn't deserve to have a heartless ghoul as a father."
XOXO
He hung up.
He felt trapped, cornered. He saw Kaneki – standing outside, in the front yard. He ran forward – drawing the curtains together, to shield Kaneki's face. He went upstairs – taking traveling bags, as he emptied dresser drawers.
His son observed confusedly, too. He didn't care – packing quickly, but basic necessities. He darted around – grabbing belongings, that they'll need.
"What's wrong, daddy?" Aiden asked, as Hide flinched. "Are we going somewhere?"
"W-We are, darling. We're going to your grandparents," Hide answered, as Aiden smiled happily. "That's right, sweetheart. They're so excited to see you again."
"Will grandma bake me chocolate chip cookies?"
"O-Of course, sweetie."
"What about fudge brownies?"
"S-She'll bake anything you want, but only if you be a good boy."
"I promise I'll behave."
"I know you will. You always do. That's why I love you so, so much."
"I love you, too."
XOXO
He looked outside.
He could barely see, though. It's nightfall – pitch black, dreadfully dreary. A few long hours passed – hours spent waiting, however Kaneki finally left.
He buckled Aiden in, hands shaking slightly. He hopelessly struggled – fumbling around, with the straps. He grumbled annoyingly – pulling through somehow, on his fifth attempt.
"Why are you scared of the dark, daddy?" Aiden mused, as Hide froze. "It's pretty outside. I like the stars."
"You'll understand when you grow up," Hide mumbled, as Aiden pouted. "And, I like the stars, too."
"That's what you always say."
"You're supposed to be sleeping. It's way past your bedtime."
"But I want to keep you company."
"It's going to be a long drive."
"I can't go to sleep without a bedtime story, though."
"Oh, alright. Just this once, I'll let you stay up."
"Yay!"
XOXO
He arrived late.
His parents were asleep, but left out snacks for them. His son rushed inside – into the kitchen, where he munched on chocolate chip cookies. He locked up – shutting doors and closing windows, securing his childhood home.
His parents snored quietly, as they slept on the couch. He knelt down – grabbing firewood and matches, to ignite the fireplace. It burned brightly - illuminating everything, in flickers of orange and gold.
"Is grandpa and grandma asleep?" Aiden groaned, as Hide chuckled. "I wanted to play games, especially hide and seek."
"We can play tomorrow," Hide giggled, as Aiden yawned. "Come on, darling. It's time you went to bed now."
"I want to hear a bedtime story."
"You always do. What story would you like to hear tonight, sweetheart?"
"I want to hear the Little Red Riding Hood."
"You already heard that story, sweetie. If I remember correctly, I believe grandma told you when we last visited."
"I know grandma did, but I want you to tell me the story. Will you please read to me the Little Red Riding Hood, daddy?"
"Of course, I will."
"Thank you, daddy."
"Why don't you change into your pajamas and I go find your bedtime story in the library?"
"Okay, I will. And, I'll tuck in teddy, too."
"I promise I won't take long, to tuck you into bed as well."
XOXO
He browsed bookshelves.
His index finger touched the spines, collecting dust as he walked down the aisle. He read the titles – absentmindedly muttering them, while looking for the Little Red Riding Hood. He soon came across the children's area – full of fairy tales, colors and detailed drawings. He saw many familiar books – those that his parents would read to him, even those that Kaneki once read to him. He sighed miserably – his heart aching again, at the mere thought of Kaneki.
The Little Red Riding Hood came into eyesight, then. He shut the library door – walking through the hallway, ideally flipping through the Little Red Riding Hood. He halted midway – noticing something strange, from his peripheral vision. He looked outside – at shadowy silhouettes, among the tall towering trees. It was only deer – frolicking playfully, near his childhood country home.
"Did you find my bedtime story?" Aiden chirped, as Hide nodded. "Please read it to me."
"Alright, I will," Hide chuckled, as Aiden grinned excitedly. "Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a village near the forest. Whenever she went out, the little girl wore a …"
"A red riding cloak!"
"You're right, darling."
"Keep reading, keep reading!"
"But Grandmother …"
"What big ears you have!"
"But Grandmother …"
"What big eyes you have!"
"But Grandmother …"
"What big teeth you have!"
"The woodsman knocked out the wolf …"
"I'm sleepy. Please stay, until I fall asleep."
"I'm right here. I love you. Sweet dreams, my darling."
"I love you, too. Goodnight, daddy."
A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.