Series: Inuyasha/Tokyo Ghoul
Pairing: Kagome/Kaneki Ken
Prompt: Hanahaki Disease - Azalea

Things always seemed to hit Kaneki quickly and suddenly, and this was no exception. The disease skipped any progression through flower buds and a few stray petals and jumped straight to him coughing and choking and heaving up full flowers, vibrant red and delicate petals usually a little tattered but still oddly beautiful.

But the worst part, beyond even having the disease itself, was that his chances of being cured were slim. There was no way he could confess, not with his other condition, and the surgery available was off the table for much the same reason. He couldn't risk the exposure and especially not potentially hurting someone he obviously cared about.

Tying his apron behind him and adjusting his eye-patch in place, Kaneki made his way to the storefront to begin his afternoon shift. Of course she was there already. Kagome was his best customer. She'd come in a few times for coffee and a light lunch before they struck up a conversation about a book she was reading and the rest had fallen into place very naturally. It wasn't any big wonder that he'd fallen for her–she was pretty and smart and funny and always nice to him no matter how awkward he came off at times–but that certainly didn't make it any less complicated or any easier to deal with.

He was just arranging his tray to take to another table when the familiar tickle in his chest told him he was about to cough. Hands fumbling to set down the last cups quickly, he spilled a little of the coffee he'd just made before having to ignore it and rush into the back.

Kaneki covered his mouth and exhaled with a rasp, feeling the first flowers already sticking in his throat. His first instinct was to swallow them down, but he fought it and gave a few weak coughs to try and move the process along. He'd done his research. He thought the meaning fragile passion was oddly fitting, but on a more pressing note, the little flowers were toxic. Even if he weren't a ghoul whose stomach would physically reject the plant matter, the flowers would make him incredibly sick. He wasn't sure if the toxicity would effect him the same, but he certainly didn't want to risk it.

Once all of the blossoms were cleared from his system for the time being, Kanaki was able to breathe just a little easier. Looking into his hands, he saw that there were more flowers than usual. Even some seeds mixed in with them. But in the small pile of messy red petals was one perfectly intact flower.

There was a small moment of debate before Kaneki was pushing himself to his feet again and making his way to the bathroom. He threw away everything but the one pristine flower before he set about gently washing it with a little soap and cool water (along with his hands, considering he'd just heaved into them). Once the petals were gently patted dry and reformed, Kaneki made his way back to the front of the cafe.

Kagome was still waiting, a different book in hand than the one she was reading the last time she came by a couple of days prior, so Kaneki set about making her usual without even needing to ask what she wanted. On the edge of the saucer for her cup, he placed the single bloom and walked the drink over to her table.

She seemed to be in the middle of reading a passage since she gave a soft thanks but didn't look up from her book yet.

Back behind the counter, Kaneki watched from the corner of his eye until Kagome reached for her drink only for her fingers to brush the petals before finding the cup's handle. She looked up from her book then, surprised as she picked up the small flower to inspect it with a growing grin. When she finally looked over at him, she lifted the flower and nodded in thanks before tucking it behind her ear in a small gesture of acceptance of the gift.

Kaneki wasn't sure how much Kagome knew about flower meanings, if anything, but even if she didn't understand, he hoped the flower's other meaning would carry with her.

Take care of yourself for me.