It was around seven, a week from that night with Hide, and Kaneki was working a shift at Anteiku with Koma. The redhead was washing out some mugs while the half-ghoul handed off a black coffee to a customer who, by the smell of it, was a ghoul as well. He had been getting better at differentiating scents, humans had a light and alluring aroma whereas ghouls tended to be more earthy. He was at the point where he could tell them apart, except for the occasional human who smelled like ghoul. Nishio had told him that those with human loved ones would do something called scenting, it's supposed to let other ghouls know they had dibs. He had to wonder how many of those humans knew that someone they cared about wasn't one of them, but was keeping them safe from predation.
Touka had told him to practice his scent recognition. According to her, one fuck up not telling a weak ghoul or a scented human apart will get him killed, so he went along with it. The brunette opened his mouth just a little as he'd been instructed and sniffed at the air. There were three ghouls, each drinking their black coffees alone as they either checked their phones or simply relaxed into their seats, and a couple of humans chatting animatedly over what's left of their tea. The two empty plates scattered with crumbs certainly helped to confirm the smell.
"Kaneki, let me know when there's more plates to wash," Koma calls to him from the sink.
"Yes sir," he acknowledges, wiping down the counter. The brunette knows that's not what he meant, he means "tell me when the humans are gone." It's only a few minutes until then, the pair get up and head towards the door, one of the ghouls looking up from her phone to watch them go. Ken smiles and waves, then turns to his coworker once the door closes, now only ghouls left in the building.
"They've left."
The redhead finished rinsing a mug and hurriedly put it on the drying rack, then speed walked over to him, a grin on his face.
"Thank god because I've had this stuck in my head all day!" The man raved.
"Are you about to say something terrible?"
"Yes!" Enjoy clears his throat, then forms a tent with his fingers to pose a question.
"So, gamer girl bath water: is it a broth? Discuss!"
Ken stares blankly at him, one of their patrons who had been eavesdropping coughs to hide a laugh.
"Koma?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are you like this?"
"You're avoiding the question! Is it a broth or not? Because I think it is! It's human flavored water!" The older man insisted.
"I'm going to regret saying this but," the boy sighed. "If that's the case… it's more of a tea."
"Is there a difference? Because I'm pretty sure broth is just meat tea. And why don't humans drink it straight? They drink leaf juice and fruit juice, why not meat juice?"
"I am begging you to never give me your opinions on liquids ever again," Ken pleaded, Koma cackles at the hopeless expression on his face.
"In return for being mentored by the notorious Devil Ape, you will be subjected to tests of mental fortitude!" He claps to emphasize each word as he says it. "Now! Broth! Or! Not?!"
Kaneki huffs.
"It's broth! I know it's broth! I just don't want to think about it!"
"And I didn't want to think about you getting your back blown out but sometimes walls are thin, and other times your coworker will give you an opportunity to be enlightened!" The redhead smirked. The eyepatched man froze.
"You…. heard that?"
"Everyone heard it dude, you're lucky Touka took Hinami to the library so at least they didn't get a front row seat to you and your human."
The half-ghoul glared down at the counter to avoid looking at him, face flushed and absolutely mortified. Oh god, oh no, he made all those fucking noises! Is that why Yoshimori looked at him like that? The more he thought about it, the more curious looks and knowing gazes he recalled. He leaned on his hand and groaned quietly in embarrassment.
"Lighten up 'Neki, everyone's gotten caught at some point!" He pats the younger man on the back.
"...I promise it won't happen again."
"Whatever you say stud, and say hi to your boyfriend for me next time you see him!"
Ken nods.
"Is he coming over again tonight?"
"I'm, uh, I'm going to his place."
"Awesome, you're already keeping your promise!"
"Not for that!" He waited a second, then muttered. "This is all really new to me okay? I have no idea what I'm doing."
Koma shoved his shoulder.
"Obviously," he jested. "And I gave him a lot of shit because he's, ya know, a Bureau Investigator. But he obviously cares about you."
Kaneki smiles a little.
"He does, I still don't know I got that guy."
"Shut up twink, you're a catch," Enji chides him. Ken's head whips up to stare at him aghast.
"Twink?"
"Have you seen yourself? By the way your shift is over."
He had completely lost track of time, but when he looked at the clock on the wall, it was indeed the end of workday.
"Okay," he stood up straight, then went to start wiping down tables, to be stopped by a strong arm in front of him.
"Ah ah ah! Nope, you're not cleaning up."
"What?"
"I've messed with you enough, you're free, now go get your man!"
The brunette flushed again, but nodded.
"Thank you sir."
"Go!"
"Okay!" The half-ghoul took his apron off as he went upstairs to get his stuff. He walked quickly, recognizing his excitement as he got to his room and grabbed the grey backpack. Before he left, he paused at the bed.
A few days ago, he let his boyfriend kiss him, touch him, lay him back on that mattress and…
Well, that went right to his dick. The brunette sighed and sat down on his floor, he wasn't about to walk to hide's house with a hard on. He reached a hand to his pants, but stopped before he could unbuckle his belt.
He could finish himself off now, it's what the ache in his belly was urging him to do, to just take himself in his hand and indulge. That, or…
Kaneki reaches to the bed stand and opens the top drawer, peering in. The Day after the two of them got off with each other, his boyfriend upheld his promise and gave him a pharmacy bag containing the things they'll need. He was grateful that he bought them because Ken would probably be too scared that the cashier was judging him and not get anything, even in the privacy of his room, he felt embarrassed as he took out the box of condoms and bottle of lube.
To be honest, he wasn't sure what to do with them. Obviously he knew what they were for, but it was weird to think about. He opened the box and picked out one of the foil squares, flipping it over but not really knowing what he was looking for. The little "XL" stamped on either side reminded him that, oh yeah, Hide is huge. Well, that's not helping his erection go down. The ghoul shifts his focus to the bottle, water based, made with aloe vera, why is he reading the label?
He might be stalling. As long as he can delude himself into thinking something in the ingredients or on the packaging will help him decide what to do tonight, he can pretend he hasn't already decided. After a few seconds, he swallows and unzips his backpack, putting the bottle of lube and four condoms in it. Okay, he was doing this. Well he was doing this if he found the right time to bring it up, and If Hide wanted to, and if he didn't pussy out. He was probably doing this, but what mattered is that he was ready. Ready as he'll ever be at least. The boy waits about ten minutes to be sure he's calmed down and won't be horny in public, then leaves his room.
