"I already told you, not until he's feeling better and only when he's ready." Hide said sternly into the receiver.

"You're in no position to argue with me, the release you signed states-"

"I know what it says. He's- He's not well enough."

"It's been over a week, if you can't-"

"Don't you think I know that?" Hide hissed."don't you ever stop to think about how he's feeling. You want answers for whatever, it has to wait. I appreciate you working with me on this, but I'm not putting him in a position like that. Be patient. " Hide ended the call, tossing the phone onto the chair.

"If he wouldn't come barging in here, I'd turn the phone off." He said lowering himself onto the bed.

"Just let him in, he'll stop calling." Kaneki said in slight irritation.

"Are you still angry?" Hide asked reaching out to his friend only to have him turn away.

"You should've stopped."

"If I did you wouldn't be here right now. Then where would I be?"

"Wherever you wanted to be." Hide moved closer, slipping his hand behind Kaneki's shoulders, lifting him up gently. Cradling him in his arms.

"What can I do to make you feel better about this?"

"Stop doing it."

"You know I can't do that. It makes you feel better and even if I-"

"When it starts affecting you like that-"

"Listen to me, I was running on energy drinks and I was crashing to start with. It wasn't anything you did."

"It didn't help either."

"Kaneki, would you have done?"

"It doesn't matter, shouldn't you consider my feelings when you-"

"I did. I considered the fact you were feeling sick and feeling-"

"You know that's not what I mean. " Kaneki grumbled. Hide leaned down, nuzzling the ghoul lovingly.

"I think you're just a little frustrated cause you're not feeling good." Kaneki turned away.

"Stop it." He said weakly.

"Come on, we could both use a little cheering up."

"Hide, stop. I'm not-"

"Please, there's really no point in you being angry with me for wanting you better."

"That's not it. It's just that you could've really hurt yourself and I-"

"You have to let it go. Just know that I do it because I love you, just like I said before. "Hide said continuing the affection.

" seriously I'm-" Kaneki began but soon he allowed himself to smile.

"I saw that." Hide chuckled softly. "You're so beautiful."

"I'm not. I'm all messed up, I'm sick and m-my eye-" He allowed his voice to trail off.

"You're still beautiful to me." Hide insisted.

"I'm a mess, I'm weak and can't even-"

"Well then you're the most beautiful, amazing mess I've ever seen." Kaneki laughed feebly.

"Hide?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm kind of cold,could you-" Hide wrapped the cover around Kaneki had held him close, resting his friend's head on his chest. Kaneki relaxed against Hide with a contented sigh. The steady beating of the blonde human's heart was soothing to him.

"Better?"

"Much better. I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Being angry at you."

"You were worried. I just need you to trust me."

"I do." When the ghoul had fallen asleep, Hide pressed a hand to his head.

"If only we could get this fever down. I think it would help a lot." He thought out loud. Touka knocked softly on the door, yawning as she entered.

"Morning, Touka." Hide greeted quietly.

"Hey. How's he doing?" She asked.

"So far there's not really any changes, he's still not happy with me. But on a better note, he hasn't thrown up. He's still in pain but I guess it's to be expected." Touka smiled faintly.

"You've been holding him a 't you ever put him down?' She teased.

" eventually I'll have to, when he's stronger, he won't want me to do all this. I think he needs it. After everything he's been through, I mean he hasn't really had anyone to comfort him when life was too tough. I think sometimes, now that I'm looking back, maybe it would've done him some good to feel this. Maybe that's why he's letting me now. It's good for me too, do you know how long I've wanted to do this, to show him that he means the world to me?"

"Must've been tough, being just the best friend when you wanted to be so much more to him."

"It kind of was. But I still got to be with him so it wasn't too bad. He-" Hide felt Kaneki lightly grasp grasp his shirt, soft, painful moans escaped him as he began to stir.

"Shh, it's okay." He soothed resting a warm hand on Kaneki's stomach, rubbing it in a gentle circular motion. The action caused him to once again relax against Hide,still clinging to his shirt.

"So did you find any other information?"

"No. I'm not sure what to tell you. Maybe it's a good sign that he hasn't gotten sick again, maybe he's finally getting rid of the illness that caused it."

"I hope so. I hate to see him go through this."

"I know. But you're doing everything you can. You should probably try to get him to take something. If he's not throwing up-"

"His stomach still hurts, he's not going to want to." Hide pointed out. "If it really is his ghoul side, I mean its part of him, how do we stop it?"

"I can't say. There aren't many like him. I can't go up to the once that are around and ask if they'd had this happen. I wish it was that easy. We might just have to deal with the fact that he may not have much time."

"I'm not giving up on him. As long as there's a chance, I'm gonna find it. He'll get through it, I'm not going to let him down.". Kaneki tightened his grip on Hide.

*what's wrong?" The blonde asked. Kaneki offered no reply.

"Hey, I've got you." Kaneki tried turning his head from Hide to cough but couldn't manage, instead was surprised when Hide held his head still,allowing the crimson to land on his orange shirt.

"Hide- I didn't mean t-"

"It happens, I'm not worried about it. I can get another one, rest for a second."

"That's all I've been doing. I'm tired of being so tired."

"I know." Hide said calmly. "I want you to try something for me. Just hear me out, I want you to take some more-"

"No."

"Just listen. I put some in the fridge, I want you to drink it, it helps with your pain and-"

"I don't-"

"I'll put in half of one of those cubes Yoshimura used to give you. Remember, they dissolve and it could work with the blood Hide gives you." Touka added.

"N-" Kaneki gasped sharply, tears forming in his eyes. "H-Hide."

"I know. Just hold on."

"Please, Hide, make it stop. I c-can't-"

"I promise, I will." Hide nodded to Touka and she hurried to the kitchen. Hide massaged Kaneki's slender abdomen.

"We'll get you feeling better soon." Hide vowed. He continued the massage while Kaneki drifted into sleep.

Kaneki didn't know how he slept, but it was Hide's soft hand caressing his pale cheek that pulled him back into awareness.

"Kaneki, I need you to take this." Hide brought the clear glass bottle to his friend's lips, tilting the ghoul's head back. Kaneki drank willingly, guilt weighing heavily on him for welcoming the substance. The pain was beginning to subside, he visibly relaxed in Hide's arms.

Kaneki attempted to push himself away from Hide, ashamed of his willingness to drink.

"Put me down." He sobbed.

"I could do that, but I don't want you getting the idea that because you wanted the pain to stop and you did the only thing you could to make that happen, you did something wrong and you'll be abandoned. Listen to me, there's nothing you could ever do or tell me that could make me stop loving you. Not one thing do you understand?" He held his friend tighter.

Kaneki nodded against him.

"Y- you've always been too good to me. I don't-"

"You deserve it. You should've had so much more. Are you sure you want me to let go?" Without a word, Kaneki took hold gripped the fabric again.

"Didn't think so." Hide said, kissing the top of his head.

"That would've been really cute if it you two hadn't been super mushy today." Touka scoffed.

"Don't be jealous,Touka." Hide teased.

"Of you two, you wish." Hide wiped away Kaneki's tears lovingly.

"Try to sleep now, and remember, I love you very much." The white haired ghoul smiled faintly.

"Love you too, Hide, thank you."