The sunlight shone through the small opening in the curtains, resting on Hide's face,causing the sleeping human to stir. He opened his eyes to find the white haired ghoul lying beside him. Hide lay still watching Kaneki sleep, taking note of the color that had returned to his friend's face. He reached out to touch the ghoul's cheek.

At his touch, the ghoul smiled faintly in his sleep.

"I could get used to this," Hide said softly. "Waking up every morning to see you beside me,and you're smiling, that's definitely the best way to get up. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"I think it would be a good idea to get used to it,I mean if you still plan on keeping me forever and if I'm smiling, it's because of you." Kaneki replied, not bothering to open his eyes.

"How do you feel?"

"Honestly?" Kaneki asked.

"I'd prefer the truth, yeah."

"Come here." Kaneki requested, Hide shifted himself on the bed to be closer to his friend, carefully pulling him onto his arms.

"I feel so much better today."

"That's great, you're not as pale and-"

"I think my fever's gone."

"That's good to hear." Hide felt relieved. "I was so scared these past few weeks, I thought I'd lose you. Seeing you now and hearing you say you're feeling better- just... Never, ever scare me like that again, okay?"

"Never." Kaneki replied softly.

"Good, because If you ever left me like that-" Kaneki rested his forehead against Hide's

"I know. I love you too much to let something happen to you. It'll be okay."

"Yeah, so do you think you can-" Hide was interrupted by the loud rumbling of Kaneki's stomach. The ghoul pulled away,slightly embarrassed. Hide however grinned.

"You're hungry?" He asked. Kaneki nodded.

"You probably shouldn't be happy about a hungry ghoul lying next to you."

"If it had been anyone else, I wouldn't be. But you've been so sick and unable to really eat that- This is definitely a good thing. I'll go see if Touka's up, maybe she'll bring you something. I can give you a drink to take the edge off. Does your stomach still hurt?"

"It's more of a faint discomfort than actual pain. A drink should fix that until Touka gets here."

"Dude, this is- I'm so happy." Hide leaned forward, pressing his lips to Kaneki's briefly.

"Be back in a second, I left the phone in the living room, you relax here. Take it slow and don't push yourself." Hide hurried from the room to contact their friend.

Kaneki yawned, he moved closer to his friend's pillow and pulled it over to himself. The familiar scent had a calming effect on the ghoul,bringing him a feeling of security and filling his heart with happiness.

He sighed contentedly.

A soft hand brushed against his face,causing him to open his eyes. Hide knelt beside the bed, a coffee cup held in his hand.

"Hey, Touka said she'll be here in a little while. She'll have something for you. Can you sit up?"

"I think so." Kaneki said, he attempted to push himself up, his arms beginning to shake from the effort.

"You got this,Kaneki, you might have to work on building your strength back up, you'll be getting to the living room on your own pretty soon." After a brief pause, Kaneki succeeded.

"You did it, it's good to see you up. Do you think you can handle this?" Hide held out the cup.

"Keep your hand on it just in case, I'm a little shaky."

"Hopefully it won't last long," Hide said,supporting the cup. Kaneki emptied the container. Hide placed the cup on the bedside table and climbed up beside his friend,smiling.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." Hide said, his grin widening.

"Tell me." Kaneki pressed on.

"it's just..you're so beautiful and I love you so much." Kaneki bowed his head.

"You keep saying that. You can see it can't you, my-"

"I wish I could make you see yourself the way I do. Yeah, your eye changed, but that doesn't make me feel any different. You seem like you're stuck on that,don't do that to yourself. You're so much more than you think." Kaneki raised his hand to cover his red eye only for Hide to grab his wrist.

"Don't. I'm not afraid, and you are the most beautiful person in the world. It's pretty cool actually." Hide kissed Kaneki lovingly.

"I want you just the way you are,Kaneki. I always have and always will. You're amazing, don't you ever let anyone tell you you're not." Kaneki wrapped his arms around Hide,feeling his friend do the same.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." Hide tightened his grip on the ghoul.

"You'll never have to worry about it." Hide vowed.

"Don't you two ever get tired of the mushy stuff?" Touka called suddenly.

Hide pulled away.

"Not possible. Kaneki's just too incredible." He replied noticing the quiet figure hiding behind her. "You brought a friend today."

"Yeah, I thought about what you said about telling that special someone how I feel..I finally did.I hope you don't mind."

"It's cool as long as they're not-"

"She knows everything about me, we had a long talk,she's okay." A light haired girl stepped into view.

"Yoriko, you remember Kaneki, and this is Hide. It's okay." Touka reached out her hand,pulling her friend inside the room and placing a bag on the bed.

"I still feel terrible," Yoriko said. "You ate all that and-"

"I'm fine." Touka assured her. Yoriko moved closer to her friend.

"Do you want to sit down," Hide offered. "I can bring in a chair or we can go to the living room."

"I'm okay,thanks." Yoriko replied.

"By the way, did you look outside today?" The dark haired ghoul asked.

"No, why what's going on?"

"Not as many guys out there today."

"Maybe Amon is starting to trust us." Hide said thoughtfully.

"I guess it's possible, it's a bit unlikely." Hide kissed Kaneki's head lovingly.

"Sorry, we should be letting you eat and we're standing around."

"Can you do it yourself?" Touka asked.

"I think so." Kaneki said. " Thanks Touka, I'm sorry to-"

"Don't worry about it. Ghouls have to stick together, if you need help, let me know." Kaneki nodded, feeling grateful for his friends and Hide,he waited for Hide to close the door behind him before reaching for the bag.