A/N- Last chapter. Enjoy.
"Why are you here?" Tsukiyama asked, leaning back against his couch, arms folded across his chest, and his eyes averted to a different area of the room. An area that did not contain Kaneki. Kaneki sighed, but didn't answer. Too be completely honest, Kaneki wasn't even sure why he was here. Once he heard the news of Tsukiyama's 'date' he knew he had to at least talk to Tsukiyama. He wasn't sure what it was he wanted from the Ghoul. Did he want Tsukiyama to agree to their deal once more? That probably wasn't it. Besides, after Tsukiyama stopping 'helping' Kaneki, he hasn't had anymore sexual problems concerning his human friend. All the needs, and dreams, and fantasies stopped. Kaneki had made sure they stopped when he had a dream about a week ago where, instead of Hide, he was doing lewd things with a certain purple haired ghoul instead. Upon waking up, he quickly shoved those memories to the back of his mind. However, standing here finally looking upon Tsukiyama, those memories were resurfacing once more.
"I just wanted to talk." Kaneki finally answered. Tsukiyama's brow furrowed at his answer, and he gestured to a chair that sat across from his couch. Kaneki hesitantly walked over, and sat down.
"I want you to come back to the group." Kaneki blurted out. Tsukiyama gave a short, humorless laugh.
"I wasn't aware that I was kicked out of the group." Tsukiyama said bitterly. Whatever tone his voice may adopt, he couldn't help his eyes wander over the object of his affections. His facial muscles soften as the traveled over the boy's guilty expression.
"I'm sorry that I withheld information from you Tsukiyama." Kaneki said boldly. Tsukiyama raised his eyebrows as if to say, Yes go on. "And I'm sorry that I haven't been putting your feelings first lately." Kaneki finished. Tsukiyama smiled a genuine smile. It sure didn't take much for him to forgive Kaneki. "It's just," Kaneki began again, "The things you've done in the past... I'm not sure how I am supposed to feel about them now." Tsukiyama sighed, and his smile left along with his glint of hope.
"People change, Kaneki. I was hallow, and empty back then." Tsukiyama explained. Kaneki nodded, taking in the information. He got up from his chair, and walked over to the couch that Tsukiyama sat on, and crouched down beside him.
"I'm sorry. I've been a hypocrite lately. I tell you not to let your feelings jeopardize our group, and I ran over here, hours before a mission, after hearing you had a date." Kaneki said with a laugh, and ran a hand through his white hair. So there is a mission. Tsukiyama thought to himself. Tsukiyama opened his mouth to answer, but Kaneki silenced him with a finger.
"I expected you to change your ways when you joined the group, and now that you have I brushed it off as an act. I used you, and threw aside your feelings, and I'm sorry." Kaneki said, suddenly leaning forward, and wrapping his arms around Tsukiyama, pulling him in for a hug. Tsukiyama was in shock at first, but soon dissolved into Kaneki's gentle touch, and wrapped his arms around the boy also.
"It's okay Kaneki." Tsukiyama said, his hands finding Kaneki's soft, white hair, and tangling themselves in it happily. Kaneki leaned back slowly, and caught Tsukiyama's eyes, and held them for a brief second before letting them flick down to his lips, and back up to his eyes. Tsukiyama knew at once what Kaneki wanted to do. As Kaneki leaned in, Tsukiyama pulled back quickly. Seeing the other ghoul's hesitance, Kaneki pulled back immediately.
"I'm sorry." Kaneki stammered, "I just thought, I mean what with uh- I thought maybe we could-" Tsukiyama mimicked Kaneki's earlier motion, and silenced him with a finger to his lips. Kaneki calmed down, and gazed at Tsukiyama who moved his finger from the boys lips, and rested his hand upon his cheek.
"I still definitely feel that way about you, Kaneki." Tsukiyama said, and noted the way Kaneki's eyes lit up. "But I'm not ready to start such a physical relationship with you after what happened." Kaneki's face fell. "I need to know that Hide is no longer the object of your affections." Kaneki rolled his eyes, but nuzzled into Tsukiyama's warm hand.
"I think," Kaneki began, "that for the longest time I confused lust, and love." he admitted. "I love Hide as a friend, and I'll admit I was attracted to him also. I think that combination caused me to become confused." Tsukiyama smiled.
"Well if you don't need time, I sure do." he said. Kaneki nodded, and wrapped his hand tentatively around Tsukiyama's.
"Would you be okay with kind of starting over?" Kaneki asked softly. Tsukiyama became confused.
"Start over? How so?" He asked.
"Well we kind of did everything backwards. Maybe you would be open to going on a date with me tomorrow night, and we can go from there?" Kaneki asked. Tsukiyama wasn't sure he could smile any bigger. This was definitely not the direction he pictured this spontaneous visit going.
"I would love that." Tsukiyama said. Kaneki smiled back at the man, and stood up, Tsukiyama soon following his action. Kaneki began to walk toward his apartment door.
"I'll see you tomorrow at six?" Kaneki asked. He seemed to morph back into his Anteiku days. Back into that soft, innocent boy. However he had a confidence about him that nobody could dispute.
"Tomorrow at six." Tsukiyama said, but than remembered. "Is there a raid tonight?" Kaneki's eyes widened, apparently caught in the act.
"Yes." He admitted. "But it is just a small one. You don't need to worry about it. I'll make sure to work you extra hard during the next one." Kaneki said jokingly. Tsukiyama agreed, and opened the door for Kaneki, who was suddenly looking torn by a mental decision. Thinking to risk it, he leaned forward, and planted a soft, wet kiss on Tsukiyama's cheek.
"See you tomorrow." He said, quickly closing the door behind him. Tsukiyama didn't move from that spot until much, much later.
"Do you really think that it is necessary to buy a completely new outfit for this date?" Chie asked walking alongside Tsukiyama eating a candy bar. "I mean have you seen your closet?" Tsukiyama rolled his eyes at her mentality.
"Of course it is. This is special. I can't just pull something out of my closet and throw it on." Tsukiyama huffed. Chie knew better than to retort Tsukiyama's fashion sense. Staying quiet until eventually, they turned into a large Mens Wear house department store.
"The only logical conclusion would to let me pick out your outfit." Chie said, throwing her food in a thrash can when she noticed the "No outside food." sign above the door.
"But if you picked out my clothes than I won't be me will I? You should always be yourself on a date." Tsukiyama said, shedding out a bit of wisdom that Chie rolled her eyes to.
"You will probably pick something neon orange with stripes or polkadots." Chie said. "I've known you for eight years. I'll pick something that screams Tsukiyama Shuu, but not stalker at the same time." Chie declared grabbing a small clothes basket from the front desk.
"Now go pick out some shoes, and I'll bring clothes to you so you can try them on." Tsukiyama steered his direction toward the shoes, and began scanning various buckles, and latches.
"Plain, black shoes, Shuu." He heard Chie call from an aisle or two away. He grumbled, and picked up a pair of black oxfords in his size. He sat at the shoe station for a while before holding the shoes in his hands as he waited for Chie. Finally, she showed up with only a shirt, a cardigan, and a pair of pants.
"Here." She said handing the outfit to him. Tsukiyama raised his eyebrows at her choice in clothes.
"This is it? One outfit?" Chie shrugged.
"I work fast. Besides I think this one is a winner. Go try it on." Chie said pushing him toward the dressing rooms.
Tsukiyama sighed, and locked the door behind him. He laid out Chie's choice in clothes on the bench to his left. It consisted of three pieces. A plain, charcoal gray cardigan that went to his elbow, and stopped there. A black, and dark blue pin stripe t-shirt with a short V-neck, and a pair of black straight leg jeans. It was very coordinated, and low key than most of his clothes. Tsukiyama honestly thought that the outfit was going to be plain, and boring however when he finally put on all the clothes he was pleasantly surprised by how well they worked together. He slipped the black shoes onto his feet, and fixed his hair in the mirror before stepping out to show Chie.
"How do I look?" He asked, spreading his arms out, and turning around so she can see the entire outfit.
"Normal. But also very attractive." Chie said. Tsukiyama smiled at Chie, and thanked her.
"I'll take these I suppose." He said walking back into the dressing room to change back into his more boisterous clothes.
Tsukiyama stepped out of the shower, and glanced at the clock on his bathroom radio. It read 5:15. He would have 45 minutes to dry his hair, dress, and lock up before Kaneki came over to get him. He quickly set out his hair dryer, and hair straightener to heat up. He reached into his cabinet, and grabbed some hair putty, hair spray, and tooth brush. He had just barely brushed his teeth when the doorbell rang.
"Who in the..." Tsukiyama muttered throwing on a robe over just his towel that was wrapped low on his hips, he trudged toward the door opening it with a flourish. There stood Kaneki, who was looking nervous. Scratching his neck, and eyes wide out of shock when he saw Tsukiyama's lack of attire.
"You're early!" Tsukiyama exclaimed pulling Kaneki into the apartment, and shutting the door behind him before one of his neighbors saw him naked in the hallway. Kaneki laughed, and averted his eyes.
"Yeah, Banjoe wanted the apartment for something, and kicked me out." Kaneki muttered.
"Well, I'm just getting ready now. Take a seat, and give me a couple minutes will you?" Tsukiyama said, handing Kaneki the remote to his TV.
"Take all the time you need. Reservations aren't until 6:30." Kaneki called back. In the bathroom he shed his robe, and towel off, and opened the door of the bathroom, throwing both things in the direction of the hamper on the other side of his bedroom, and closed the door once more. He made quick work of his hair, Blow drying it, and putting a small amount of putty in his hair to keep it swooped to one side, and out of his eyes. He subconsciously reached for his outfit before realizing that it was still sitting in the Wear House shopping bag in the kitchen on the table. Tsukiyama couldn't retrieve it because he had already gotten rid of his robe.
"Kaneki?" Tsukiyama called, opening the door just a crack. Enough for only his voice to travel through even though Kaneki had seen him naked tons of times.
"Yeah?" Kaneki asked approaching the bathroom door.
"Can you grab my clothes for me off the table in the kitchen?" Tsukiyama asked. He heard Kaneki chuckle lightly, and retreat for a moment before coming back with the shopping bag.
"Why didn't you just walk out and grab them? I've seen your ass tons of times." Kaneki said. Tsukiyama felt himself blush, and was glad that there was a door between them. I snatched the bag quickly mumbling something in anger, and closed the door. Pretending not to hear Kaneki laugh on the other side.
"You said reservations." Tsukiyama said. "At a human restaurant? That's a terrible choice for a date, Kaneki-Kun." Tsukiyama said, and Kaneki laughed. Tsukiyama loved that sound.
"No, I have an informer who runs a ghoul bar. I pulled a favor, and got the place reserved tonight." Kaneki said. They were walking side by side down the sidewalk, and Tsukiyama wished he had brought a larger coat. He tried to suppress the chills that ran down his arms, but had no such luck.
"Are you cold?" Kaneki asked him, giving him a pointed side glance.
"Of course not." He answered, yet he felt Kaneki's warm hand wrap itself around his own. He blushed loudly, and bit his lip at his, and Kaneki's intertwined fingers.
"Here we are." Kaneki said opening the door for him. Tsukiyama thanked him and quickly walked into the dimly lit bar. There was nobody in sight, but a few bottles of blood had been left out on the counter, and there were two plates of food sitting there also.
"I figured something simple would work." Kaneki admitted pulling off Tsukiyama's light jacket, and hanging it next to his own.
"It's perfect." Tsukiyama said turning to Kaneki. He wanted nothing more in that moment than to lean over, and kiss the boy, but he held out. He was the one who requested some time after all.
"Here." Kaneki pulled out a chair for Tsukiyama to sit on. Tsukiyama sat, and watched at Kaneki poured him a glass of warm blood, and slid it toward him. "That human girl." Kaneki began.
"Chie." Tsukiyama corrected him.
"Yeah, Chie." Kaneki said. "I was kinda curious about her. How did you become such close friends with a human?" He asked. Tsukiyama thought back to his high school days, and smiled with found memories. He was quite the rambunctious teenager back in those days.
"Chie took a picture of me eating once, and said if I killed her she would post it on her blog for the entire school." Tsukiyama admitted. "The girl made me take her out for ice cream, and she continued to black mail me. I admired her spunk, so I invited her out to watch me eat. Even when I threatened to drop her out of an eight story window, she calmly took a picture. I admired that." Tsukiyama finished.
"So you just let her live?" Kaneki asked. Tsukiyama shrugged.
"She amused me. She was like a pet. And I was quite a risk taker. Now she does things like house sit for me, and works as an informer for the group. She is a very valued friend." Tsukiyama said. Kaneki shifted in his seat.
"She set up that date between you, and that boy right?" Kaneki asked. Tsukiyama wasn't sure how Kaneki knew that, but he figured Banjoe must have told him.
"She did." Tsukiyama answered quietly.
"Did you like him?" Kaneki asked quietly, fiddling with his glass.
"Oh, no." Tsukiyama said with a wave, and a laugh. "He was terribly boring." Kaneki let a small smile pull at his lips before he looked up.
"But you allowed him to call you Shuu." Kaneki said, blushing at saying the older ghoul's name.
"You can call me Shuu as well, Kaneki-kun." Tsukiyama teased, leaning toward him, and laying his hand on Kaneki's arm.
"Only if you call me Ken." Kaneki said playing along. Tsukiyama smiled, the dim light of the bar playing in his eyes.
"Of course, Ken." He said bringing his glass up to his lips, and taking a long sip. Kaneki smiled back.
"That was nice." Tsukiyama said on the walk back. Kaneki's coat was draped over his shoulders, and their hands were intertwined between them.
"I'm glad you liked it, Shuu." Kaneki said, rubbing his thumb along the back of Tsukiyama's chilled hand. "Does this mean you agree to a romantic relationship with me?" he asked playfully as they approached the street that Tsukiyama's apartment was on.
"Probably." Tsukiyama teased back. He sighed into the cold night, and leaned his head down on Kaneki's shoulder, who in turn rested his chin on Tsukiyama's head. "You know." Tsukiyama mumbled. "Relationships can have certain perks." he continued. "Sometimes, sexual perks..." He finished. He knew that he wanted to continue this relationship with Kaneki, but there was no need to rush. They could take their time with this.
"I'm ready when you are." Kaneki said as they stopped in front of Tsukiyama's apartment.
"Well, you will be the first to know." Tsukiyama promised standing side by side with Kaneki, both their hands entangled between them. "Hopefully this will be okay for right now." Tsukiyama said, nodding to their hands. Kaneki smiled.
"This is perfect." He said. Tsukiyama looked away, and blushed.
"You could probably also get away with kissing me if you wanted too." He mumbled. He heard Kaneki laugh, and he felt him drop their hands, and instead gently cradle his face.
"Of course, Shuu." Kaneki mumbled, pulling Tsukiyama's lips toward his gently, and allowed them to meet in a soft dance. Tsukiyama let his eye flutter closed, and wrapped his arms around Kaneki's waist quickly. Pressing himself closer, letting his lips part, and fold themselves nicely around Kaneki's.
All to soon, did Kaneki pull away with a wet sound of parting, and a sting of saliva connecting the two. Kaneki laughed.
"Goodnight, Shuu." He said, giving him a quick peck on the lips.
"Goodnight, Ken." Tsukiyama muttered watching his newly acquainted boyfriend walk the six blocks back to the groups apartment.
A/N- So this was the official last chapter, but I was thinking of doing a bonus chapter about Tsukiyama, and Kaneki's new and improved sex life. However, I'll only do that if people show interest, since sex scenes aren't my favorite to write. So if you are interested, leave a comment bellow.