"Tsukiyama. Wait."
Tsukiyama stopped outside Kaneki's door. The voice was surprisingly soft and uncharacteristically vulnerable. He turned back to see Kaneki sitting up in bed.
"What is it, mon cher?"
Kaneki rubbed his eyes.
"I…want to talk to you."
Tsukiyama's heart leapt but his stomach twinged nervously. He returned to the side of Kaneki's bed. Kaneki gestured for him to sit.
"What did you want to talk about?" Tsukiyama asked, trying to sound casual.
Abruptly Kaneki stuck out his hand.
"Eat."
Eat? Did Kaneki say eat? Tsukiyama stared at the hand, then at Kaneki's face, then back to the hand. Kaneki's eyes glinted like iron.
"What are you waiting for?" he insisted. "Dig in."
"Kaneki-kun, I don't under—"
"It'll grow back. Eat."
"I'm not—"
"Eat!"
"I can't—"
"Isn't this what you want?"
"No!" he practically yelled. "I don't want to hurt you!"
He clasped Kaneki's hand in his own and lowered it.
"I don't want to hurt you," he whispered. Kaneki withdrew his hand.
The light across the hall flicked on. Tsukiyama realized he must have nearly shouted. A few moments later, Hinami appeared in the doorway.
"Is everything okay?" she asked cautiously.
Tsukiyama stood up and met her at the doorway.
"Oui, mademoiselle. There's nothing to worry about. Sorry for waking you," he apologized.
Hinami looked past Tsukiyama to Kaneki and back at Tsukiyama. She still looked concerned.
Tsukiyama laid a hand gently on her hair.
"Would you like me to tuck you back into bed?" he offered.
She gave Kaneki one last look and nodded.
Back in her room, Hinami climbed into bed, and Tsukiyama drew the covers over her.
"Is everything really okay?" she whispered.
"Yes, little lady. Everything is fine. Kaneki and I were just talking and I got too excited."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Doux rêves, mon cher."
Hinami closed her eyes. Tsukiyama turned out the light.
Tsukiyama returned to Kaneki's room. Kaneki was studying Tsukiyama in the same peculiar way as before.
"Usually I'm good at figuring people out," he said. "But I don't get you."
Tsukiyama tried to smile.
"There's not much to get," he replied. "I'm in love with you."
Kaneki turned his head away.
"I don't expect you to feel the same way about me," Tsukiyama continued, "but it would mean the world to me if you would trust me." He subconsciously touched his hand to his chest. His heart ached in a way that was strangely familiar.
Kaneki sighed.
"You know, when I first became a ghoul, I couldn't handle my hunger very well," he began. "At one point, I…almost ate my best friend."
The guilt on Kaneki's face was painfully clear.
"Mon cher, that wasn't your fault. Living your life as a human…then suddenly turned into a ghoul…it's no wonder you couldn't restrain yourself."
"But that's the kind of world we live in, isn't it? Everybody has to eat."
"Très vrai."
"Well, my point is, I guess I shouldn't take it too personally that you tried to eat me."
"Twice," Tsukiyama corrected him. "Once, maybe, but twice is a little personal, I must admit."
Kaneki laughed at that, a laugh that was like new buds opening in springtime.
"I'd like for us to be friends," he said softly.
Tsukiyama smiled widely. He couldn't help himself.
"Merci, Kaneki. It's such a relief to hear that."
The sat in the darkness a few minutes more. No longer was there an awkwardness hanging in the air between them.
"I'll let you sleep then," said Tsukiyama, standing up to leave.
Kaneki glanced at the clock. The red numbers glowed harshly in the darkness. One o'clock.
"It's so late. If you don't mind the couch, you're welcome to sleep here for the night."
"Oh? You're getting attached to me quickly," Tsukiyama teased.
"And I'm already regretting the offer."
Kaneki got up and found a spare pillow and blankets for Tsukiyama. Tsukiyama took them gratefully.
"Good night, then," said Kaneki.
"Doux rêves, mon cher," Tsukiyama replied.
Kaneki's brow furrowed.
"What does that mean?"
"Ah, it means 'sweet dreams, my dear.'"
"Oh. Well, 'doux rêves' to you, too."
Suddenly Kaneki leaned in and kissed Tsukiyama on the cheek. He then returned to his room without another word. Tsukiyama, stunned, could only watch. Absentmindedly he reached up and touched the spot where Kaneki had kissed him. It was stinging, but the sensation was oddly pleasant. He would certainly have sweet dreams that night.