Warning this chapter maybe a bit...suggestive.

Kaneki pulled on his robe pushing open the door and allowing the cool air to hit him. It had been a long day at the coffee shop,enduring Touka's teasing.

Kaneki sighed,entering Touka's shop to find the usual crowd seated at the tables,most smirking silently.

"Hey, you made it," Tonka greeted setting a coffee up down. "I wasn't sure if you needed me to carry you in or you suddenly remembered how to use your legs." She teased. The customers chuckled lightly.

Kaneki nodded. "New beginning." He told himself, moving behind the counter.

"Keep going, Touka, but just so you know, it doesn't bother me." He said.

" Wow, that was almost convincing. "

"You know what else, The more I think about it,I can see a deeper meaning in what Hide did. So have your fun." He added calmly. Touka fell silent. It was Kaneki's turn to smirk.

"Nothing else to say?" He asked.

"So the new you knows how to play." Tonka out an arm around him. "It's early, you don't clock out until this evening. How long can you stand the heat?"

" all day. "

"We'll see about that." She said, patting his shoulder. She leaned on close to his ear. " Congrats by the way and...welcome back." She continued her work, leaving Kaneki to his own.

"Gotta love your coworkers.." He thought out loud and true to her word, the taunts didn't end there.

He dropped onto the bed, curling up on his side and grabbing Hide's pillow,burying his face in it. The scent had a calming effect on the ghoul. He hated that Hide had a meeting tonight, preventing him from being home in Kaneki's arms.

Just as Kaneki closed his eyes, his phone rang. He sat up, grabbing the object, looking down at the display.

"Hide." He said softly . "Is everything okay?"

" Hey,Beautiful, everything's fine. I just wanted to hear your voice,that's all. You doing okay?" Kaneki laid back.

"I guess so. When are you coming home?"

"I'll be there soon, I told Amon I'm not going to stay for the whole thing. I miss you."

" miss you too. Do you want me to come and -"

"You don't have to, you spent all day working and I don't want you to feel like you have to stress yourself out by doing -"

" it stresses me out when you're not here and I haven't heard from you in a while. "Kaneki complained.

" I know, I'm sorry. I've been just sitting here listening to all this boring stuff. I didn't think you'd want to hang on the phone for that. When I get home,I'll make it up to you. "

"We're starting." Akira's voice called from the background.

"I'll be right there." Hide replied . "I'm sorry,I have to get back in there. I'll see at home."

"I don't like the idea of you walking back this late, some of the.. Others wait for the dark before-"

"I'll be fine."

" until you're not. "

"Kaneki, remember what we talked about -"

"New beginnings mean letting go, I know. But it's not safe and -"

" I love you so much.I'll see you soon. "

"Hide-" The call ended,leaving Kaneki to deal with the returning anxiety. He was about to toss the phone onto the bed when he received a text.

I'll make sure he gets home. Don't worry,I know how hard it can be. Akira.

Kaneki drew in a breath.

Thank you. He knew he wouldn't be able to relax until his husband was home. Kaneki grabbed the blanket and Hide's pillow,making his way to the living room. He took the remote from the coffee table before curling up on the sofa and skimming through the channels. He suddenly realized the extent of his fatigue which gave him no choice but to give in.

He didn't know how long he had slept, but woke to a gentle hand,brushing against his cheek.

"Hide," The ghoul said sleepily placing a hand on Hide's. The blond smiled.

"Hey Beautiful,didn't mean to wake you. Are you feeling okay?"

" Better, your pillow helped,but it's not you. "

"I know,I'm sorry. I'm here now,it's okay." Hide lead down, kissing Kaneki.

"Since you are up," Hide continued . "You remember Aizawa and Misora?"

" The two that were there when we met with Akira and Amon? "

"Yeah. The guys that thanked you for saving them the night of the raid."

" what about them? "Kaneki sat up,yawning.

"Well, before we left for our wedding, they heard me ask for the couple weeks and today as I was leaving, they stopped and gave me a couple gifts. Akira and Amon got us something too I guess." Kaneki shook his head.

"It's weird how that worked out. Our interactions with them and everything."

" Yeah,I guess it kinda is. By the way, they finally set a date for theirs. June thirteen. "

"That doesn't give them much time to plan." Kaneki commented as Hide took one of white boxes from the floor and placed it on Kaneki's lap.

" Well they don't really have many people to go. Am on said it's just a few select people. Kind of like ours only it's not just going to be the two of them the they way we did. "

"We'll have to get them something,they've been nice to us,all things considered." Kaneki opened the tag on the gift.

"From Reye and his family." He announced.

"Ready?" Hide asked ,placing his hands on the lid.

"Yeah."The couple opened the box to reveal two sets of sheets. Kaneki lifted the first out,examining it.

"These are great." The ghoul said. "This material...it's that Egyptian cotton we were talking about. These are supposed to be really soft."

" these other ones are different,they're..sateen. You ever hear about those? "

"They're like satin, but more durable and made from cotton. They're supposed to be really good." They set the sheets back in the box and set it aside.

"Next one's from Misora." Hide said , again they opened the gift together.

"Pesonaized wine glasses, and champagne flutes. They're beautiful." Kaneki said,he had always had a fondness for the glasses. Hide pulled out a small piece of paper.

"Here's to you in honor of your union,may it be filled with eternal love and happiness." Hide read. "Looks like Amon and Akira got us a couple gift cards. This one's for you." Kaneki took the card from him and examined it carefully. A yellow square of paper had been taped to the back.

Koutarou and I just wanted to thank you for your help. We wouldn't be making the progress we have toward our goal without you. Please enjoy this gift as a sign of out gratitude.

"Book store gift card, that was really thoughtful. "

"Yeah, I got one for music downloads. That's really cool for them to do that." Hide said ,pulling out a card from the envelope.

"Seriously?" He said .

"What is it?"

" they gave us an invitation to their wedding. There's no way we're going. "

"Why not?" Kaneki questioned .

"They're probably inviting people from work, I don't like the idea of you in a building full of-"

"You do realize that when we meet with them,I walk into a building full of investigators and when they send me to medical for those tests to try to come up with a way to make sure I don't get sick like I was before -"

" I still don't like it. "Kaneki took his hand.'

" I know...New beginning,right? " Hide sighed.

"Yeah. You're right. They're helping me take better care of you. Maybe I shouldn't be so worried...But not everyone there is okay with their project, they still think all ghouls are-"

"They don't have to like it,but we're working toward a better future and that's what matters. You'll never be able to convince everyone." Hide nodded.

" you're amazing,did you know that? "

"If I am, it's because you showed me how to be." Hide kissed Kaneki, placing a hand softly on his cheek, deepening the affection and leaning him back against the pillow. He moaned softly into the kiss. Pulling off his jacket. Kaneki pulled away,smiling up at him. He gently pressed a hand to Hide's chest, again pushing himself up. He stood beginning to walk away.

"Dude-"

"It's late, I have work in the morning."

" so do I, but-"

"Shouldn't have been so late,grab the blanket on your way to bed." He called over his shoulder.

"You're really going to go to bed aren't you?" The blond said in disbelief. The ghoul smirked,disappearing into the bedroom.

"Not cool,man." Hide said softly. He grabbed his pillow and sighed.

"A-are you messing with me?" He called.

"There's only one way to find out, isn't there?" Kaneki shouted back. "Stop yelling through the house, we have neighbors." Hide scoffed.

"Yep, you're just gonna go to sleep." He made his way into the bedroom and closed the door.