Kaneki slowly became aware of cool sensation on his heated skin, he lay still hoping to drift back into unconsciousness. a soft moan escaped him as the pain flooded back to his body.

"Hey," A voice called softly, the tone filled with concern. The ghoul shifted his head, he was surprised to realize he was Lying on a soft surface.

"Kaneki?" The voice called again,this time from directly beside him.

"H-Hide?" Kaneki replied weakly, the young man lowered himself onto the chair beside the bed.

"Yeah, it's been a while, my friend. How are you feeling?"

"I'm glad to see you're okay." Kaneki felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from his heart.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for you. They could've killed you and-"

"I know." The ailing ghoul admitted. " but you would do it for me. All this time not knowing what happened I- I thought-"

"It's okay." Hide said, replacing the now warm compress with a fresh one. Kaneki visibly relaxed further into his pillow.

"I know." Hide continued. "I lost track of how many agents I went through just trying to find out what happened to you. When I woke up in the hospital all I got was a lot of crap about how they couldn't tell me anything or they didn't know. I fought with those guys forever, and finally Amon called me. He told me what you did. I owe you big time." Hide chuckled softly

"You don't owe me anything." Kaneki turned his head away from Hide to cough. He quickly realized that he was no longer in the holding cell. He was in fact lying in an actual bed in a dimly lit room.

"Where-"

"This is my place." The blonde explained." It's not much but it's better than the cell they had you in. You need to rest and I've never had to sleep on one of those metal things, but it didn't look like the best place to lie down. You'll sleep better and maybe get better faster. By the way, I should tell you that the only way they'd let me bring you here is if i agreed to let the team hang around outside. I just don't want you to freak out f you see them. I made it clear they need to stay out there while you're sick so you don't have to worry. "

"You don't have to-"

"Just take it easy, you'll be okay. I'm here." Kaneki smiled faintly.

"You always have been."

"And I always will be. You need anything?"

"I don't think so. Maybe just a little sleep. It looks like you could use some too."

"I'm good, I had an energy drink not long ago." Hide assured his friend, a smirk crept onto his face.

"I totally ruined coffee for myself." He joked. Kaneki could feel his strength leaving his body, fatigue was setting in. Kaneki drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

When he woke for the second time, he could feel his body trembling.

"Are you okay?" Hide asked.

"C-cold" the ghoul managed to reply in a voice just barely above a whisper, Hide nodded.

"I'll have to go get you another blanket, are you okay for me to leave the room for a second?"

"Y-yeah." Hide hurried from the room and out of view. Kaneki shifted uncomfortably in the bed, the effort causing him to feel dizzy. He had never felt so ill. Even after waking up in the hospital, having been given Rize's organs he hadn't felt this way.

When Hide finally returned, several minutes later, he carried two blankets and a plastic bag. He hurried to his friend.

"Sorry it took so long." Hide spread the cover carefully over Kaneki. He rested a hand on Kaneki's forehead.

"You must feel pretty bad, I'm sorry." The blonde man said, stroking Kaneki's hair.

"I feel so...so weak, I've never-"

"Rest. You should save the strength you do have. Do you think you want to eat?"

"No. I'm not hungry."

"Let me know if you do, I can bring you something. You won't be hurting anyone. Touka stopped by during the shift change and left you something. She said the manager used to give it to you. I didn't really ask what it was."

"Touka was here?" Hide smirked.

"Yeah. She checks in sometimes. She came to see me at the hospital a few times and since I got out she's been stopping by." Kaneki silently vowed to show his gratitude to his friend at the first opportunity.. He allowed his head to turn away from Hide. The room was fading around him.

"Dude, if you need to sleep again it's fine. You've been pretty sick, it'll be-"

"It feels different somehow."

"What do you mean different?" Hide's usual calm tone had been replaced by one filled with deep concern.

"I'm not sure i could describe it. I feel like-" it was if a large black veil had suddenly been dropped on him. Hide's voice seemed to be coming from a distance away now.

"Kaneki!" Hide cried. "Wake up, please?" His friend pleaded.

Too drained to comply with the frantic request, the ghoul sank deeper into the peaceful darkness.

I'm sorry, Hide, I can't. I'm glad i got to see you again. You're the one person in my life i could always count on the only one that cared for me so unconditionally even now. I love you. He knew nothing more.