Requested by tokyoghoulayato

Prompt: Two miserable people meeting at a wedding au

Ayato swears he's going to hide all his sister's condoms when he gets back; one does not simply bail out on their brother just because their freaking boyfriend is in town! Not only is he stuck in an iffy suit, but the damn food hasn't even arrived. He skipped having a snack earlier on, thinking that there would be free food here and he's regretting it. Badly. Almost as bad as that time he hid Touka's stuffed bunny in the rubbish bin.

Playing with the sparkling clean utensils provided on the decorated table, Ayato twirls the knife expertly, ignoring the disapproving looks shot in his direction, courtesy of his neighbours.

"What table manners."

If only he can test whether the knife is deep enough to pierce through the stinky uncle sitting next to him.

Ayato huffs and gets up to leave for a while, unable to stand the stuffy air of snob and boredom any longer. Taking a left turn after exiting the grand double doors, he takes his time to walk out to the prized garden of Hotel Anteiku. He remembered it won some flora award a few years ago so might as well take a look while he's here.

The hydrangeas are in full bloom, each blossom glowing softly under the spotlights. The brushes are well-trimmed, straight to the edge and definitely well taken care of, seeing how luscious the green is. He sighs to himself. Without a greenery bone in his body, Ayato is unable to appreciate the serene surroundings to its fullest. He loves how quiet it is though.

Following the cobbled trail, he continues his stroll, pretty sure the banquet has yet to start even though his watch shows it is already half past 7. It's a bad thing to swear, considering he's supposed to bring well wishes and bless the couple who wed tonight but he can't help but mutter damn bastards under his breath.

Well, probably everyone but him was happy to be here. And he doubts anyone else would love his misery.

The suited young man passes the hydrangeas and sees Hibiscus growing ahead. And a lady admiring them. Judging by the wristlet she's wearing, Ayato guesses she's one of the bridesmaid. If so, what's she doing out here alone?

Now, Ayato may be lacking severely in the romantic department but even he knows the lady in front of him will put those Hibiscus to shame, for she is the walking definition of delicate beauty. He sees no harm in getting a closer look. Of the flower, of course.

Hinami loves flowers. Every species carry their own meaning, some even with different colours symbolising different intentions and feelings. Just like humans, every flower is different from the other. Maybe this is why she can't seem to leave this garden, for she always preferred the calmness nature is able to give her instead of empty words spoken by her kind.

The banquet should have started a while ago so Hinami expected she would be alone for the time being, which was why Ayato's footsteps shocked her, alerting there's another in the vicinity.

"Sorry for scaring you."

He gives himself a pat on the shoulder – mentally, of course – for not blurting out he's not here to harm her instead. Now that the lady is facing him, he's glad Touka forced him to attend the wedding dinner on her behalf because without that, he'd never known how much he loved the colour of amber.

"It's alright. I just wasn't expecting another person out here."

Ayato wryly wishes his sister would speak softly like her but he'd most probably send her to the hospital instead if that ever happened. Kirishima Touka is anything but soft-spoken.

Somewhere 8 kilometres away, Touka sneezes, prompting Kaneki to wrap the blanket around them a little tighter.

"Are you cold?"

"Nah. Someone probably misses me."

Kaneki chuckles, "If you say so."

"What are you doing out here?"

"I can ask you the same thing too."

Hmph. "It's boring inside. Food's not served yet and I was about to stab the asshole next to me if he didn't stop boasting about his Rolex watch."

He was honestly surprised when she laughed, albeit softly and behind her palm. The usual reaction he receives are disgusted looks at his colourful language so this is a first for him. And Ayato would welcome more from her.

"Name's Ayato. What's your's?" He walks over to give a friendly handshake, battling his inner self that this is basic manners, and he's not trying to see if her hands are as soft as it looks.

"You can call me Hinami."

Her hands are soft, and smooth, he thinks happily. "So, Hinami, what are you doing out here?" He repeats.

At that she sighs, her shoulders slouching a little and her face a little crestfallen. "I know no one inside and I couldn't stand the occupants at my table so I decided to escape for a while."

"You know no one?"

"Yeah, I'm only a stand-in for one of the bridesmaid who fell sick. So the bride invited me to the dinner out of courtesy." She shrugs; she'd honestly rather spend the night at home with her cat.

"Sounds damn shitty to me."

"What about you?"

"Same as you, only that I'm a stand-in for my shitty sister because her shitty boyfriend is in town."

"Seems like we both got the short end of the stick."

Ayato snorts at that, "What stick?"

And they both laugh; misery do loves company.

"How about we both ditch this and just head home? I can't guarantee I won't poke Uncle Rolex with my fork later if he doesn't shut up."

"Sure."

They both walk out of the garden and towards the hotel exit, Hinami's heels clinking against the marble tiles while Ayato match her pace, both looking quite a couple from the eyes of curious guests sitting in the spacious lobby.

"It was nice meeting you, Ayato. Hope I'll see you around soon."

"Wait," he calls out, glad that she hasn't walked too far away. "Where do you live? I can give you a ride home."

"Hmm? I don't want to bother you. After all, we've just met–"

"It won't be a bother, and I'm sure taking the bus in those heels is a pain in the ass and sole."

Looking down at her 4 inch heels, Hinami does think it will be a hell of a ride if she couldn't get a seat on the bus. "Alright then. Lead the way to your ride."

Ayato wonders how he should casually ask her out for dinner before sending her home since they both didn't eat anything at the banquet.