Kaneki would smile at Tsukiyama whenever he went by and would chat with him whenever he had free time.

The extra attention Kaneki paid to him made Tsukiyama feel this strange sensation inside. He didn't know what it was but found he really, really liked it, and looked forward to when Kaneki got off his shift. How much longer did his chèri say that would be? Thirty minutes? Either way, Tsukiyama was getting antsy but hid it well behind gentlemanly poise.

Kaneki finished up his shift and clocked out. Once he made sure he was cleaned up, he went over to where Tsukiyama was sitting.

Tsukiyama perked up immediately when Kaneki sat down across from him and his lips formed a full smile. He leaned forward eagerly. "Hello again."

Kaneki grew a bit shy again, "Yes, hello." It grew silent and he wasn't sure on what to say.

Tsukiyama cocked his head, looking him right in the eyes. The atmosphere between them was a little awkward...he would not stand for it! Kaneki should be as comfortable as possible, and to start Tsukiyama decided to broach an easy topic. A certain type of crowd liked bookstores, non? "Are you a fan of literature, Kaneki-kun?"

"Oh, yes I am!" Kaneki answered, glad for the topic. "And you Tsukiyama-san?"

The sudden enthusiasm both amused and thrilled him. "I am. I am a huge fan of Takatsuki Sen in particular."

Kaneki's eyes widened. "Did you say Takatsuki Sen?!" Kaneki grew too excited and ended up choking on his own spit.

Tsukiyama burst into melodic laughter and put his fingers over his lips to calm himself. Be cool Tsukiyama Shuu. Be cool. "Oui." The ghoul brought his chair over beside Kaneki and pat his back as he got over his coughing fit. "You are dolce, Kaneki Ken. I take it you are a fan of them as well?"

Kaneki shyly ducked his head after that embarrassing act. "Y-Yeah, I love Takatsuki Sen's works." Kaneki stared at the brown table in front of them. "I grew up reading... It was like an escape for me."

"The same could be said for me." Tsukiyama rested his cheek on the back of his upraised hand and looked out of the window. He snorted softly and smiled to himself. "It was during the worst moments of my life that literature became my salvation."

The half-ghoul became shocked by this and looked at the purple-haired ghoul. Finding his profile stunning in the light coming in from the window. "Me too." Kaneki spoke softly. He had never met anyone with views like his. "I... Books helped me a lot."

Tsukiyama caught Kaneki's gaze when he flicked his eyes in his direction. That smile he wore was then directed fully on his soulmate. "They are a true refuge, no?"

Kaneki nodded, amazed at the full smile the man gave him. He didn't even know Tsukiyama real well and yet...

A sudden rumble resonated from deep within his chest and vibrated intensely up into his throat where a rumbling, purring-like sound was made. His whole being felt relaxed and content with the other ghoul that it set him at ease.

Tsukiyama was about to say more when he heard the purr, and promptly froze in place. His heartbeat quickened and he flushed pink at hearing it. Kaneki...already..? Purring? Already? He licked his dry lips. Purring was such an intimate thing for ghouls, didn't he know? Tsukiyama inconspicuously looked around to see if anyone had noticed and, finding no one, lowered his eyelashes right at him. "Y-You trust me that much already Kaneki-kun?"

Kaneki's eyes widened but he couldn't just... stop whatever was happening. "I'm sorry—I don't know what's happening—this has never happened before, I don't—" He was breathing harsher as he started to panic.

Tsukiama silenced Kaneki's rising panic with a gentle caress of his cheek, looking at him right in the eyes. "You are purring, Kaneki-kun, quite a private and personal experience for a ghoul."

Kaneki couldn't help but lean into that warm touch. "O-Oh...? So it's something normal that happens?" He started to calm down as he stared into those eyes.

"Oui." Here was where Tsukiyama's flush darkened a little, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away. "Purring is natural, and quite normal for a ghoul. It happens when you are comfortable with your company and it is quite... intimate."

"Oh. I'm sorry if this is embarrassing or uncomfortable for you..." Kaneki let out as the purrs subsided a bit. The last thing he wanted to do was mess this up.

"Oh no Kaneki-kun, if anything..." Tsukiyama didn't bother looking around as he leaned to Kaneki's ear and let out a tiny purr of his own. "I feel the same way."

Kaneki shivered at that, his instincts wanting to relax but the rest of him still hesitant. "I'm, uh, very flattered Tsukiyama-san." Kaneki looked around and didn't like the attention they were getting. "Can we take a walk?"

"Of course mon chèri." Tsukiyama, ever the gentleman, held out his hand with a little bow.

Kaneki flushed slightly and took his hand, standing up. "Thank you."

Tsukiyama joined him with a smile and led him outside, holding the door open in the process. He looked both ways down the sidewalk and turned to Kaneki. "Is there any place you had in mind to go?

Kaneki shook his head. "No not really, we can just walk around I guess." He spoke quietly.

Tsukiyama tilted his head at the quiet tone and furrowed his brow. He picked a direction at random and let go of Kaneki's hand, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. He did, however, constantly have their fingers brush together. "Is something the matter?"

"Huh?" Kaneki looked at him. "Oh, uh no... I just didn't want to seem rude or anything." He sniffed the air lightly but didn't smell anyone dangerous.

"Ah." Tsukiyama wouldn't have cared in the slightest — no, that was a lie. He would — and did — care if anyone overheard Kaneki purring. Non, that was for him alone and if anyone else ever heard the sound he would devour them.

Tsukiyama put his outside hand in his pocket, letting his thumb hang out, and hummed as the evening air flowed through his locks — bringing in Kaneki's delicious scent. He may have drooled a little.

Kaneki saw that they were alone on the street and turned to Tsukiyama. "So how old are you?" he asked him.

"Twenty-two." Tsukiyama replied, and turned to look Kaneki in the eye. "And yourself?"

Kaneki smiled, happy they were close in age. "Nineteen." Kaneki tilted his head. "Do you go to school anywhere?"

"Ah! I do." Tsukiyama brushed his immaculate bangs more to the side and tossed him a perfect smile. "I major in Social Welfare at Seinan Gakuin."

Kaneki blinked. "Oh wow. That's really amazing Tsukiyama-san!" He smiled.

I know. "Merci, Kaneki-kun." Tsukiyama felt something swell in his chest at the praise. "What about you, Kaneki-kun? Do you study?"

"I go to Kamii University and I'm studying different things. I'm not sure what to major in." Kaneki looked away, starting to feel hungry... He was initially going to eat after work, but...

"There is still enough time for you to decide." Tsukiyama put his other hand in his pocket and rolled his shoulders, sighing contentedly. Everything was so pleasant... "You have your entire life really, when you think about it."

"Yeah..." Kaneki's shoulders hunched slightly. He wasn't all too sure about that because of what he is... And how to tell Tsukiyama. He was scared about a lot of things because of how different he was.

Tsukiyama noticed the tone but didn't say anything about it until they stopped at the end of the sidewalk. The ghoul turned completely to his companion with a slight tilt of his head. "Do you not think so?"

Kaneki looked up at him. "Oh, yeah it's just..." Kaneki stopped suddenly when he smelled the familiar scent of a ghoul that had been pursuing him. "Um... I'm sorry, but I need to take care of something. Could you wait for me?"

"O-Of course." Tsukiyama furrowed his brow in confusion as something twisted in his gut. He'd rather not leave him alone... "Are you sure?"

Kaneki nodded. "We can swap numbers so I can call you later." He smiled at him.

Tsukiyama plucked a pen from his pocket and snapped it. "I am afraid I am out of paper. May I write on your arm?"

Kaneki laughed slightly. "Sure, that's fine." He held out an arm to him.

"Merci." Tsukiyama gently held Kaneki's wrist and scribbled his number in fluid strokes along his inner forearm. "Ah, there you are."

Kaneki looked at it before gazing at Tsukiyama. "I'll be sure to call you soon."

Tsukiyama smiled at him, although it was laced with slight confusion. This is all very sudden.. "Please do."

Kaneki nodded and waved him off as he took off down the street.