Chapter 4

Kaneki looked in the mirror. He wore black skinny jeans, a gray v-neck, with his blue jacket. He looked up at the time.

In five minutes, Hide would be there to pick him up.

The coffee maker beeped, signaling that it was ready as a knock sounded at the door.

Kaneki answered the door and let Hide in, "Hi."

"Hi." Hide grinned and entered, kissing Kaneki's cheek.

Kaneki blushed and gently touched his cheek. "Uh… I made some coffee, do you want a cup?"

"Sure," Hide grinned.

Kaneki showed him in and Hide followed into the kitchen.

"So," Hide sat at the table in Kaneki's apartment. "How was your day?"

Kaneki chuckled as he poured two cups of coffee and gave one to Hide. "It was good. I went to work, we had a steady flow with plenty of tips."

"Cool." Hide said, not entirely certain on what to say next.

Kaneki sat across from Hide. He picked up a small drawstring bag and opened it, pulling out two brown sugar cubes. He plopped them into his coffee and stirred it.

Hide watched him, intrigued.

"Sorry," Kaneki apologized. "I just think it's better for me to eat before I leave with you."

"So the cubes were…?"

Kaneki nodded solemnly.

"I'm not judging you Kaneki, you need to eat." Hide said softly and reached over to hold Kaneki's hand.

Kaneki smiled and situated his eyepatch.

"Does your eye change color?"

Kaneki nodded again.

Hide's eyes light up, "Wow! Can I see?"

Kaneki covered his eyepatch. "I… I don't think I'm ready."

Hide noticed Kaneki's discomfort and backed off. "If you don't want to show me, that's cool. That is your call."

Kaneki sipped his coffee. He felt so comfortable around Hide, he even dared to say that he loved him.

They drank their coffee and Kaneki took the empty cups.

Hide stood and stretched. "Alright, I have some plans for us."

"What do you mean?"

Hide offered his hand to Kaneki. "It will ruin the surprise if I tell you now." Hide smiled, which shined like the sun.

Kaneki smiled slightly and held Hide's hand. Together the two left the apartment and walked down the street.

####

Hide walked Kaneki to movie theater they use to always go to. "I know this is the stereotypical date, but I think this will ease us into dating."

Kaneki smiled softly. "I think a movie sounds great."

Hide and Kaneki stood in line and looked at the movie titles. The two debated movies, Hide wanting a romance comedy and Kaneki wanting a horror movie. In the end, they chose a Disney movie.

Hide walked up to the counter and bought two tickets.

The two then walked into the theater and Hide looked at the time. "How about we play a bit in the arcade, then go find seats." He suggested.

"Sure," Kaneki shrugged. "It sounds fun."

Hide led Kaneki into the theater's mini arcade and the two played a motorcycle racing game which Kaneki was pretty good at. After their game, Hide led them into the theater where they were the oldest ones in their besides the parents accompanying their kids. The theater was pretty empty, so Hide led them to the back so the two would not be seen.

The movie started not long after the two sat down.

Hide liked the movie, but Kaneki was engrossed with it, never taking his eyes off the screen. Hide nonchalantly yawned and stretched, wrapping his arm around Kaneki's shoulder. Hide mentally congratulated himself and held Kaneki.

Not too long afterward, Kaneki rested his head on Hide's shoulder.

Hide smiled and rested his own head against Kaneki's as they watched the movie.

####

Hide and Kaneki walked to Kaneki's apartment, hand-in-hand.

They talked about the movie and laughed at some inside jokes and before they knew it, they were at Kaneki's front door.

Kaneki looked at Hide, sadly. "I guess it's getting late."

"Yeah… But I had fun." Hide grinned.

"Yeah, I did too. We will have to do this again."

The two were silent, not knowing what to say.

"I-I really did have fun tonight, Hide."

Hide looked at Kaneki.

"It's been forever since I felt so happy. Thank you."

"Hey, no problem. Any time you feel down, call me up and I'll fix the frown." Hide grinned at his own rhyme.

Kaneki smiled, feeling the awkward air. "So… since we are boyfriends now, and since this was my first date. Do I get like a goodnight kiss or something?" Kaneki asked.

Hide smiled. "Of course." He gently cupped Kaneki's cheek and kissed the handsome ghoul. "Goodnight." Hide whispered against his boyfriend's lips.

"'night." Kaneki smiled, still a little dazed from Hide's kiss. Hide was a great kisser.

Hide chuckled and waved as he started the trek home to his apartment.

Kaneki blushed and walked into his apartment and closed the door behind him. His mind was everywhere, but all he knew was that he loved the human named Hide. Kaneki looked at the door to his apartment and stepped out onto the railing where he could see Hide leaving.

Kaneki thought and couldn't contain himself. He ran down the stairs, needing to go to Hide. "Wait!"

Hide turned around, surprised. "Kaneki?"

Kaneki took Hide's hand. "Can you stay the night at my place tonight?"

"Kaneki, I have school tomorrow and you have work."

"Hide, please? I know what hunts in the dark, please, just stay the night? For me?"

Hide sighed. "Well, when you put it like that..." He grinned.

Kaneki smiled.

"But one condition," Hide stated.

"What?"

"If I stay, I get to sleep in the same bed with you. Nothing intimate, but I can't promise that no cuddling will occur."

Kaneki blushed. "Uh… Sure."

Hide grinned and together the two walked back to Kaneki's apartment.