"You're sure you're ready?" Hide asked,watching Kaneki attempt to push himself up.

"I think I can do it, I just... I need a few more minutes."

"Take your time, I'll wait as long as you need me to. One step at a time." Hide encouraged.

"I think you might be up to doing it on your own by the time Amon checks in again." Hide said with a grin.

"You did this, if it was just me, I would've just given into it. You brought me this far." Kaneki replied, Hide took his hands.

"Thanks for not giving up, I'm so proud of you. I know it's been tough. If you had-"

"I couldn't...I have to live so you can, remember?" Hide pressed his lips to Kaneki's.

"Yeah, that's the way it's always gonna be." He said resting his forehead against his friend's.

"It's a two way street you know." Kaneki added.

"I know, don't worry, I'm gonna live for you too." Touka watched from the doorway,a faint smile barely visible on her face.

"Promise?" Kaneki asked.

"I promise." Hide vowed. "You know, I'm glad you're getting better, but I'm really gonna miss the snuggling." Kaneki nuzzled Hide lovingly.

"Maybe you don't have to." Kaneki said softly. "You're always going to be my favorite pillow."

"I'm happy to hear it."

"So," Touka said moving closer to them. "What do you think about Amon's so called project?"

"I don't know, I'm not sure exactly what it's about. I'm not sure I trust it. Amon is one thing, he'll need approval and that means others will be involved. I don't know that I'd trust it." Hide said.

"We'll have to start somewhere. If he thinks there could be a way to come to some kind of understanding-"

"I know it's important, I want things to be better, but I can't risk losing you." Hide said.

" it's not just about us. You wanted to protect the ghouls from Anteiku, we can make a better world for the ones who-"

"I want that, I just-"

"Trust me." Kaneki said looking into Hide's eyes.

"It's not you I don't trust, it's everyone else. I need to know that whatever this idea is...you'll be okay."

"He will be, when he's back on his feet, he'll be strong enough to handle things." Touka assured him. Hide sighed heavily.

"You're all I have, Kaneki. You're my everything, you have to promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise." The ghoul replied. "I'll have you with me to make sure things go okay."

That evening found Hide seated on the couch in the living room,his back pressed against the arm. Kaneki stretched out,resting with his head on Hide's chest under a blanket. The soft glow of the television set provided the only light source in the room.

"Did I miss anything good?" She asked setting a coffee cup down on the end table and handing one to Hide. The blonde human offered it to the white haired ghoul,who raised his hand to the object,helping to guide it to his lips.

"You'll be eating on your own soon." Hide pointed out,allowing his friend to drink.

"He's getting his strength back a little faster now. Maybe you finally calmed his ghoul side enough to give him a good chance to recover." Touka lowered herself onto the chair next to the sofa.

"I do feel better, still really weak but not as bad." Kaneki confirmed.

"Are you still in pain?" Hide asked.

"Some. Drinking helps a lot."

"Good. You can take as much as you want."

"It's not like you have an endless supply to give away. I'll only take from you when I don't have a choice, even then it's not-"

"I want to make sure you have everything you need. If that means I have to-"

"All I need right now, is you. When you let me rest against you like this, with your arms around me,I know how much you love me and it's comforting."

"You'll always know, Kaneki. I love you more than anything in the world." Hide kissed the top of the ghoul's head.

"I love you too, this whole thing...I've been depending on you so much more lately, you could've walked away and had your life back if you had left me there."

"Dude, I'd have to be pretty stupid to walk away from the best thing that's ever happened to me. There's never gonna be a day in my life that I won't need you and want you with me."

"I owe you for all the trouble I caused you. It must've been hard for you." Kaneki said feebly.

"I'd take any trouble in the world for you. You promised me forever, I'll always take care of you." A smirk appeared on Hide's face suddenly. "But you'll have to make your own coffee." He joked. Kaneki chuckled softly.

"I'll teach you. There's a certain way to do it. When I'm stronger,we'll try it together."