Hide pushed open the bedroom door to find Kaneki still asleep peacefully. He took several steps back into the hall before charging forward.

"Kaneki!" He shouted, jumping onto the bed, nearly landing on his friend.

Startled, Kaneki shot straight up to find Hide seated next to him. He sighed heavily, lying back down.

"Hey, time to get up, it's Christmas!" Kaneki pulled the blanket closer, ignoring the wake up call.

"Kaneki..."

"It's early."

"Not that early." Hide leaned over his friend, shaking him slightly.

"Don't go back to sleep, remember... We have guests."

"Yeah, it's not exactly polite to wake them."

"Please?"

"Speaking of waking people, whatever happened to the gentle nudge or softly-"

"Dude, you were really sick, and in so much pain. You needed a little gentleness. But you're better now and you don't hurt anymore so...back to normal."Hide teased. Kaneki groaned,attempting to drift off again. After only a few minutes, Hide chuckled warmly.

"Okay," he said softly, close to Kaneki's ear. "You win." The human lovingly began to nuzzle him.

"Come on,beautiful. It's time to wake up."

"Now it doesn't count, I had to tell you-"

"You know how much I love you, right?"

"You can be such a child."

"Yeah, but you know you love me." Kaneki sighed, opening his eyes to gaze up into Hide's.

"I never said I didn't."

"Then you'll get up?"

"Yes, I'll get up...eventually."Hide groaned, resting his head on Kaneki's chest.

" you're killing me." He complained.

"What do you have against me sleeping past six in the morning?"

"nothing it's past six, it's like almost seven. Besides it's Christmas!"

"It'll be Christmas all day."

"But this is our first one together and it's really important."

"You should lie down with me for a while longer." Kaneki suggested, running his slender fingers through Hide's hair.

"You're incredible." Hide said, in a soft tone. Kaneki reached up, pressing his lips to Hide's,

Hide moaned softly into the kiss, deepening the affection.

"You're trying to distract me from what I'm-"

"Am I?" The white haired ghoul teased.

"Yeah, you are and...I'm so in love with you." The human grinned, resting his palms on each side of Hide's face. When at last they parted,Hide laid down, using his friend as a pillow.

"If we didn't have guests-" Kaneki chuckled,stroking Hide's messy blonde hair.

"Okay,let's just...lay here."

"Good idea.'" The ghoul replied, drifting back into sleep.

When Kaneki woke the second time, it was to Hide's hand caressing his face lovingly.

"Kaneki, come on, it's like ten,Touka and Yoriko are in the living room.

Kaneki stretched and allowed Hide to pull out of bed.

He yawned softly, leaning on Hide, not yet fully awake.

When at last they reached their destination, they were greeted by the girls with a smile.

" Merry Christmas, you guys." The female ghoul said, her arms wrapped around Yoriko.

"Merry Christmas. Hide replied. "We're glad you two could share the holiday with us."

"Yeah, thanks for having us. We don't really have much family to spend it with.

" You're like family to us and our door's always open." Hide said. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for everything you did to help when Kaneki was sick."

"And for checking on Hide when he was in the hospital and afterwards." Kaneki added.

"Anyway, let's get to the best part. Who's going first?"

"I'll give Yoriko hers." Touka stepped over to the tree, taking hold of one of a brightly wrapped box. She carried it over to the couch, handing it off to her friend."

Yoriko tore through the green paper, her eyes lighting up instantly.

"Touka, you- personalized cutting board, that's so sweet." She held up the piece of wood which had her name etched into it, hearts had also been added around the letters. She kissed Touka's cheek.

"There's a few more things at our house." Touka admitted.

"I'll go next." Kaneki said kneeling next to the tree,pulling out a box and standing to give it to Hide.

Hide unwrapped it quickly.

"New headphones, these are the ones I wanted too, didn't think you'd remember. Thanks,Kaneki." Hide said excitedly, he leaned close, kissing the ghoul.

"These are hard to find, how did you-"

"I saw them when I got the tree, they were the last pair."

"You should go next,Hide." Touka said, sharing a glance with Yoriko, who grinned.

"Are you sure, I mean you-"

"Just do it." Touka said crossing her arms. Hide nodded.

"Okay, if you're sure." Hide crossed the short distance to the tree, catching sight of Kaneki curiously glancing underneath it. Hide chuckled.

"You're not going to find it there." He said taking hold of the red drum ornament and carrying it over to the white haired ghoul. "I knew you'd look for it so I got a little...creative." He cleared his throat.

"We've been through so much this past year, with you being as sick as you were and the raid...that night,I-" He paused, sighing. "It made it clear to me that so much can chance in such a small amount of time. For a really long time now, there's something I wanted to do and I put it off because I was afraid it might not work out the way I wanted it to. But after everything that happened, it's time." Hide lowered himself onto his knee.

"Kaneki, you amaze me. You're a loving person despite what you've been through. All this time, you've been telling me that I've been your rock since we were kids but what you don't know is you've been my strength this whole time. The best day of my life was when we met. Everything I am or will be, I will be because of you. I can't imagine living without you and I know I don't have a lot to give, but I promise you that you will always be loved no matter what, I'll do everything I can to give you anything and everything you could want. My heart still skips a beat when you're near me and every time I hold you, I can't even describe he it feels. I want so much for you. You're the first thought I have every morning and the last before I go to sleep, you are the world to me and- what I'm trying to say...Will you grant me a Christmas miracle and marry me?" Hide opened the drum to reveal the silver colored ring with the blue and green opal. Kaneki stared down at him in shock.

"If the answer is no, I totally get-'

" yes." Kaneki said at last, the shock beginning to fade way. Hide stood slipping the ring onto the ghoul's finger.

"Seriously?" The blonde man asked, a faint smile was forming on Kaneki's face.

"Seriously, yes." Hide wasted no time in pulling him close.

"I was actually scared you'd say no."

"How could I, I love you so much." Kaneki tightened his grip on Hide.

"I love you too. But it doesn't stop there, this time next year, I'm taking you to Paris and were gonna get married and spend some time seeing the sights. You did say you wanted to go there didn't you?"

"We can't afford-"

"Shh, don't worry about that, it'll be taken care of."

"This is more than a monster like me deserves." Hide placed a gentle hand under Kaneki's chin, tilting his head to look directly into his eyes.

"You are not a monster, you're my heart, and I don't want you thinking about yourself any other way. Promise?"

"I- I'll try, it's just hard to see myself as-"

"I wish I could show you the way I see you, you'd know just how beautiful and awesome you really are."

"Hide-"

"Hang on, there's one last thing." Hide said.

"What?"

"Look straight up." Kaneki did as he was told, catching sight of the mistletoe above them.

"You know what that means ..' Kaneki draped his arms around Hide's neck.

" yeah," the ghoul smiled. "I do." Touka nodded on the couch as the newly engaged couple shared their kiss.

"Well played,Hide." She said. "Very well played."