A new year arrives in the blink of an eye. At twenty years old, both boys have now officially reached adulthood.

During break at his part-time job, the manager tells him he has a phone call waiting for him. Hide is shocked to hear his father's voice greeting him on the other side.

Maybe he should have expected this. A few weeks ago, Hide had decided to write a letter to his father. Updating him on everything.

He didn't think his father would talk to him so soon, considering they hadn't spoken very much for three years.

He only has about thirty minutes before he must get back to work, but as soon as his father speaks, time is lost to him.

His father is upset. He's not angry but Hide can sense disappointment in his tone. Sitting on a hard, plastic chair, Hide stares at the plain wall opposite from him, and he focuses entirely on his father's heavy silence.

"I'm sad you didn't contact me earlier…"

His father's voice is low, and Hide is glad no one else is in the break room now.

"We needed time, dad. I needed time…"

His father sighs. "No, I understand. It's just…I'm sad I couldn't help you when you were in so much pain. You and Kaneki."

There is a short pause.

"I'm so sorry, Hide. I failed you again."

Hide sits up straighter and he shakes his head. "Dad, no, you didn't fail me. It's fine. Ken and I are fine now. I just wanted to tell you everything because I don't want secrets between us. It was something we had to handle on our own."

Hide gives a small smile. "We survived."

He hears his father take in deeper breaths and he gazes at the linoleum floor.

"Are you sure you both are okay? Are you really okay now?" his father repeats.

"Yes, dad. We have moments here and there, but it's nothing. We're healing," Hide replies.

"If you say so. How are you boys getting your lives back in order?"

"Well, Ken and I still have our part-time jobs…but we both stopped school for a year because of what happened. We've had to reapply for the next semester at Kamii this coming April. A year wasted but..." Hide peers at the bulging veins on his hand as he lets it dangle between his legs.

"I'm glad. As long as you two are safe, that's all I care about. I'm going to send more money to your account to help you and Kaneki pay for tuition."

"Dad, don't-"

"Please, Hide, let me do this."

"Okay. Thank you."

Hide takes in a calming breath and he hears his father typing away at his computer for a few minutes. The two of them are silent again, but this time, there is less tension as they both sink in the events of the past few months.

Hide leans against the plastic chair, his left arm resting on the back of the adjacent seat next to him. His heart skips a beat before he continues. "Hey…dad?"

"Yeah?" his father replies. Hide can still hear him typing.

"Did you love mom?"

His father stops his action. "Of course, I did. Why do you ask?"

"It's just…when I thought I was going to lose Ken, I just didn't, no, couldn't give up. I had to do everything in my power to get him back. I couldn't lose someone I care about ever again…"

He can hear his father's chair creaking in the background.

"Back then, I always wondered why you were never around after what happened to mom. Were you afraid? Why didn't you…" Hide cuts himself off and he thinks he may have said too much.

His father doesn't say anything for a long while and Hide has to listen more closely to hear him shifting off his seat.

"You're right, Hide. I was afraid."

Hide feels his heart thumping harder.

"That night when she came home, I just couldn't think anymore. I felt so empty inside and…I couldn't face it. I couldn't face what happened to her and I couldn't confront her. I was a damn coward. The only thing that made sense to me was my work."

His father pauses again.

"But I loved her, Hide. I loved her, and I still do now. I realized that running away from the truth was the biggest mistake I ever made. I…we lost her, and it's my fault…"

Hide runs a hand through his hair and he clenches his head. His eyes are flooding. "I miss her. I miss her so much."

He hates that he sounds weak.

"Me too, son. I'm sorry. That's why I'm proud of you, Hide. I'm proud that you're stronger and braver than me. You did something that I failed to do back then. You're always there for the one you love without a doubt in your mind and you don't let anything stop you. That's what your mother would have done for you too."

Hide sniffs and he rubs his moist eyes. "Yeah…I guess so." He smiles through his tears.

"You know, the more I spoke with Kaneki's mother, she made me realize that cold hard truth. That I was consumed in my work and shutting myself from the ones I loved. I realized she was doing the same. Maybe I should have helped her too…"

Hide rests his head on his hand. "You can't solve everything, dad. I don't know if you would have been able to stop her."

His father sighs. "I suppose not. But she is also a woman I won't forget."

Hide glances at the clock and realizes he's fifteen minutes past his break time. "Oh, hey, I better get back to work. I'll talk to you later."

"All right, son. Sometime in the future, I'll come back to Japan and visit you two. I'll let you know. Take care of yourself, Hide."

"Yeah, I will. Come visit us anytime."

"Give my regards to Kaneki. Stay safe."

"Bye, dad. Take care."

Hide hangs up the work phone and he sits in the break room for a minute longer. A small smile crosses his lips and he closes his eyes. When he hears another employee coming in, that's when he stands up and leaves.

Returning to his work, somehow, he feels a weight falling off his shoulder.

On an overcast day, Kaneki decides to visit his mother's grave after his shift was over, something he thought he'd never do. He hadn't visited her grave since the day she died. It's been ten years.

After letting his husband know where he'd be, Kaneki slings his messenger bag over his shoulder and exits Anteiku once evening hits.

He had decided to go alone. Walking through the city without Hide by his side feels weird to him. It's alarming how unthinkable it is not to have his husband with him. He sniffs the sleeve of his white shirt, smelling the thick scent of coffee embedded within the cloth. It comforts him when he's feeling so nervous.

He had written down the directions to the gravesite just in case, but he surprises himself. He remembers exactly where it is. The ten-year-old child inside him leads the way like he never left her.

The sun is gone by the time he makes it to the graveyard and his palms start to sweat. His heart hammers like a trapped mouse and he takes a few deep breaths. Like the day she was buried, the graveyard is desolate. The trees still rustle in the wind like the ghosts are dancing among them. His legs automatically take him to where his mother is buried without a misstep.

He stands in front of the tombstone, reading her name and the date she passed. He curses himself at the last minute, thinking he should have brought flowers for her. But instead, he reaches into his bag and grabs a picture frame. He gazes down at the photo of his father. Tracing his father's face with his thumb, he looks back at his mother's tombstone and kneels to the grass. He sets the picture frame in front of her stone towards the right. As he takes in the view of his father under his mother's name, he smiles. A wave of melancholy flows over him and he sits on his knees for a while longer. The wind blows past and rustles through his white hair.

He closes his eyes.

While he's lost in space, he feels something touch his shoulder and he gasps. His eyes snap open and he looks up. His breath is stolen when he sees her.

She smiles down at him, her cold fingers grasping his shoulder.

His mouth parts, but no words come out.

She says nothing. Her hand releases him, choosing to stroke through his hair instead. Her fingers brush along the soft strands and he feels calm. She makes her way down to his cheek and holds him there. She then lowers herself to his level.

He smiles back at her, his eyes glazing over with unshed tears.

After all these years, she finally looks happy. Truly happy. No sign of pain in her body. Her hand begins to feel warm on his face.

Just when his hand reaches up to touch her, she begins to fade. His eyes widen but her smile remains. He tries to reach for her again, but she disappears completely, leaving him alone once more.

He feels his chest tighten but he swallows hard. Instead, he continues to smile. He looks back at her tombstone once more, his father now beside her. He brings himself back up on his feet, brushing the grass off his knees as he does.

Lifting his head up at the night sky, the stars twinkle brighter than they do in the city. The dark clouds linger, hiding most of them from the world.

He walks away.

Goodbye, mother.

…

Strange.

Somehow, he is back in his mother's old apartment. She is alive, standing in the kitchen. She stays hunched over as she keeps herself busy with cooking.

"Oh goodness…I've made too much, haven't I?"

She sounds tired but joyful and to his surprise, he sees his father coming up to her side. He holds her close against him.

"Nonsense. Your sister and her family could eat a whole house if they wanted to."

His voice is deep and gentle.

They both laugh and neither of them turn around to face him. He doesn't understand. He looks around and reaches for the front door. Before he could touch the handle, it opens for him on its own.

He finds himself running too slowly out into the street. The sun is orange, just like the day he met him.

Where is he?

Down the lengthy road, he sees his aunt and cousin speeding past him. The entire Asaoka family march onwards and he hears loud music blasting along with them. It hurts his ears and he walks faster.

The sun begins to bleed red and he finds it harder to breathe the more he keeps going. As he continues, he sees more and more people from his past. The bullies that tormented him, the club girl who tried to steal him away. Nishiki, Yoshimura, Ikuma.

The sky is crimson by the time he reaches the city. The energetic streets are unusually empty, and his lungs are burning in his chest. His feet decide to give up on him and he finds himself falling.

"Whoa! Be careful, Ken!"

He collides into someone's arms. A pair of arms that he could stay in forever. He breathes heavily, and the man stabilizes him. Gazing up, he meets Hide's warm eyes.

"My love…" Kaneki whispers. He grins at him.

Hide doesn't waste time and his lips press onto his. Kaneki kisses him back immediately, but there is something not right. Hide pulls away too quickly and his head hovers near his shoulder.

"Hide…look at me," Kaneki tells him.

When he does, Hide frowns and he coughs into his hand. Kaneki's eyes widen in horror when he sees thick blood seeping through Hide's fingers and when he pulls his hand away, Hide's mouth continues dripping with red.

Hide doubles over in pain and he drops to his knees. Kaneki lets out a sharp gasp and he follows his lover to the concrete.

"Hide!" Kaneki can barely speak.

Kaneki keeps Hide upright as his lover weakens further. Hide lifts his head and his eyes are black. Blood smears all over Kaneki's hands when he grasps his lover's face.

"It's only a matter of time," Hide says.

Kaneki tries to breathe but it's getting difficult. "What are you saying?"

Hide doesn't answer. Instead, he uses all his waning strength to get back on his feet. When he looks at Kaneki again, his eyes are cold and blank. He coughs up more blood and then he turns. He walks away from him.

"No! Hide!"

Kaneki tries to catch up to him, but something holds him back. Hide disappears from his sights and no matter how loudly he screams, it can't reach him.

He gazes at his bloodied hands and while he does so, the scenery changes and then Hide's body lies next to him. His eyes are closed, his skin far too pale. A frozen smile on his face.

"No! Don't leave me! Please!"

Kaneki can't feel his pulse.

…

He wakes up, breathing fast and hard. He looks over his shoulder, checking to see if Hide is there. His husband is sleeping soundly next to him, his rhythmic breathing filling the silence. Kaneki places a hand over his racing heart.

The images of that nightmare plague his mind and he turns onto his right side. He scoots his body closer until his hands grasp onto Hide's left arm. He holds on as tight as possible, trying to think of anything else but his dream.

Hide's scent overwhelms his senses and it calms him down. He exhales and nuzzles his head against his arm. He hears Hide groaning in his sleep.

"Mm…what's going on? Hmm?" Hide mumbles and Kaneki feels Hide's hand playing with his hair.

"You okay, baby? You're holding my arm really tight…" Hide tells him, his words slightly slurred from sleep.

Kaneki can barely make out Hide's face in the dark, but he smiles hearing his voice. "I…I just had a nightmare…"

"Hmm?" Hide turns to Kaneki completely and he yawns. He grabs the back of Kaneki's head and pulls him closer. Kaneki already feels better with the way Hide holds him protectively.

"What's wrong? Are you still scared? Don't hesitate to wake me up, babe," Hide says. His tone is comforting, yet serious.

Kaneki feels Hide's cheek. "It's okay, my love. Go back to sleep. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. I can tell by your breathing. Also, your fingernails are digging into me," Hide replies.

When Kaneki begins to loosen his grip, Hide places his hand over his, keeping him there. "No, I don't mind. Hold me as tight as you want."

"I'm sorry," Kaneki whispers.

"Stop that. Don't ever apologize. I'm always here for you," Hide says.

When Kaneki stays quiet, Hide's hand continues brushing through his soft hair. "Hey, let's go to the kitchen. I'll make you something."

"N-No, Hide. Really, I'm fine."

Hide doesn't listen, and he pulls on Kaneki's arm. "Come on, let's go."

"Hide…" Kaneki tries to stop him, but he knows it's no use.

Kaneki releases him as Hide flips the blankets off. Hide grabs for something on the end of bed and he wraps it around his husband. Kaneki feels warm and cozy in an instant and he can tell Hide had thrown one of his jackets over him. Kaneki blushes and his heart beats with strong adoration for him. He watches Hide yawning again as the blond throws on a gray hoodie over his white T-shirt. He then crawls towards Kaneki's curled form on the bed.

"I'm taking you with me, cutie," Hide says in a mischievous tone.

Kaneki feels himself getting picked up in Hide's arms bridal-style and he keeps his jacket wrapped around him. He holds onto his husband as tightly as before and he stares up at him. Hide carefully takes them to the kitchen, with Kaneki turning on the lights along the way. When he can clearly see Hide's face, Hide looks down with sleepy eyes but a cheerful smile. Kaneki's heart melts at the sight and he kisses his chest.

In their small kitchen, Hide sets Kaneki down on the countertop of the island before heading towards the fridge.

Kaneki looks at the clock on the microwave. 2:40 AM. He slaps himself mentally.

"Ken, check this out." Hide whips around and holds up a plastic container and from the label, Kaneki discovers it is cookie dough.

"I found this at a convenience store near work the other day and it's something that's popular in America. I grabbed it because it looks easy to make and right now, I'm craving for sweets. Wanna get fat with me?" Hide asks him as he waves the ready-made cookie dough in the air. He grins at Kaneki like an excited child.

Kaneki smiles, his cheeks pink as he laughs at how silly his lover is. "Sure, why not."

At his response, Hide holds the container up like a trophy and then he moves on to grab a baking tray. Kaneki slides off the countertop and shuffles next to Hide.

The boys roll the cookie dough in their hands, placing the batter onto the tray one at a time. Hide hums a random tune while they work in the dead of night and Kaneki finds his mind completely at ease. Hide smiles as he stares at Kaneki's concentrated expression. At the same time, he wonders what scared Kaneki so badly earlier and his expression dampens.

Hide recalls Kaneki's worst nightmares happened in the weeks after they were reunited. There were times when Kaneki would leave the bed and hide himself in the bathroom. Kaneki never shut him away though. Every time Hide entered his space, Kaneki would grab him and stay attached to him for a long while. It was hard for them to separate from each other.

Hide still finds it a challenge to separate from him. From how close Kaneki is standing next to him now, the feeling is mutual.

By the time they are finished, ten rolled cookie doughs are ready to be baked.

"Can I put it in?" Kaneki asks him. His large eyes look at him with childlike innocence.

Hide gently pinches his right cheek and allows him to do so. Kaneki adjusts the temperature and places the tray inside the oven while Hide sets the timer to bake. Hide flicks on the oven light for them to see and then he pats Kaneki on the back.

"And now, we wait!" Hide announces the obvious and Kaneki nods with a smile.

Hide sits himself at the table with Kaneki glued to his side. Hide places his left arm on the flat surface before lying his head down. Kaneki immediately feels guilt for keeping him up but before he could say anything, Hide smiles at him.

"I can't sleep if you can't sleep, babe. Don't look sad, okay?" Hide tells him. His fingers reach up to stroke Kaneki's soft cheeks.

Kaneki takes his hand and kisses his knuckles. He gazes at Hide with his feelings on full display. His blond hair is messier than usual and Hide lifts his head from the table. He runs his hand through Kaneki's white hair, some loose strands sticking up in different directions. Kaneki notices Hide seems deep in thought, especially when his eyes wander away from his face.

"What are you thinking about?" Kaneki says quietly.

Hide's eyes travel back to him. "Well…it's pretty random. I don't know why it crossed my mind just now."

Kaneki presses his chest on Hide's arm, his chin resting on his shoulder. "Tell me."

Hide gives a nervous smile. "I don't know if I should. Especially when you just had a nightmare."

"Hide, it's okay. You've got me curious. Please?" Kaneki asks. He blinks his large eyes at him and Hide can't resist.

"Well…" Hide stares at the wall in front of them and Kaneki doesn't look away from him. "I've been thinking…are human life spans shorter than ghoul life spans?"

Kaneki's eyes widen at that question and a flash of his nightmare appears in his head. The image of Hide with a frozen smile.

Kaneki wraps his hands around Hide's arm and tightens. Hide's jaw muscle clenches and he looks back at his lover. The brown of his irises are vibrant, but they hold a tinge of sadness.

"Ghouls live longer, don't they?" Hide asks.

Hide can see Kaneki's pupils constricting and his mouth opens slightly. Hide looks down at his hands clasped on the table.

"I just wonder, if I was a ghoul, would it be better that way?"

"No!" Kaneki says louder than he intended.

Hide turns to him, his eyes wide at his outburst.

Kaneki's cheeks redden, and he leans his face on his arm, his desperate gaze connecting with him.

"Hide, don't ever think that being a ghoul would be better. I wouldn't want you to change at all. You're the only one for me. Just as you are. A human I would do anything for," Kaneki says with his whole heart.

Hide reaches over to touch Kaneki's hand grasping his arm. "But I'll probably die before you, Ken. I don't want to leave you alone."

Kaneki remembers Hide's eerie words in his dream and how blood spilled from his mouth. He feels his eyes growing watery and he chokes back his growing emotions.

"No…Hide, if you die, I die," Kaneki says, his voice shaking.

Hide narrows his eyes at what he said. "Ken, no. You wouldn't."

Kaneki nods his head. "I can't live without you. I don't ever want to lose you." He presses himself harder on his husband, longing for his touch.

Hide grabs Kaneki's chin and he stares into Kaneki's tear-filled eyes. "Ken…you can't do that. You can't kill yourself if I die before you do. You have to promise me you won't."

Kaneki shakes his head and Hide's heart grows heavy. "I'm sorry, Hide. I can't do that. You saw me back when I was in that prison. I was close, remember?"

Hide touches Kaneki's lips with his thumb. Those grey eyes pierce his chest and he is reminded of that dark time. He is glad Kaneki has returned to being healthy, for he remembers all too well of how he starved himself. How he was covered in so many scars. Even now, when Kaneki shows him his body, the scars are faded. But they remain.

Stray tears travel over Kaneki's nose as he closes his eyes. His head stays on Hide's upper arm. Hide looks down at the table and he grasps his forehead.

They stay quiet together for a moment.

"You and I…are so far deep. There's no escaping it. I've been tied to you since the day I met you…"

Kaneki opens his eyes and he stares at Hide's jaw line. Hide feels his lover's gaze and he looks back at him. His fingers wipe away the streaks of tears on his pale skin.

"What if I died first, Hide?" Kaneki whispers.

Hide feels his heart clench at his words. "God, I don't want to think about that. I almost lost you, baby."

Kaneki looks at his hands clenching Hide's arm. "I'm sure you'd be able to live on. Maybe you would find someone else to love-"

Hide clasps the side of Kaneki's cheek. His intense gaze brings heat to Kaneki's face. "You've got to be kidding me. Someone else to love? I could never love anyone ever again. Ever. Again."

Kaneki's breathing is heavy, and he's hypnotized by Hide's voice.

"And living in a world without you? I…"

Hide's warm lips land on Kaneki's forehead. Kaneki feels his love seeping through his action and his heart jumps several times.

"Hide…" he breathes. He will always want more.

Hide smells Kaneki's scent as his lips stay pressing hard on his forehead before trailing down to his temple.

"We're doomed. We need to go together," Hide whispers against his skin.

He notices Kaneki's face is flushed and he kisses his cheek again and again. Kaneki's breathing turns ragged with his actions and Hide doesn't let up.

"Oh god, don't leave me. Don't ever leave me…" Kaneki begs him.

Hide wraps his other arm around him, grabbing Kaneki against his body. "We'll live together for as long as we can. You and I."

Kaneki smiles and Hide feels him nodding against his chest. "Yes. I'll always be at your side," Kaneki says, his tone stronger.

The witching hours of the night progress and the boys are glad they are not working the next day. Soon enough, Hide is happily munching on the cookies they made and then washing it down with a glass of cold milk. Forever at his side, Kaneki nibbles on the cookie like a child and Hide chuckles when he gets crumbs on his mouth. Hide wraps his jacket tighter around his husband and then he buries his nose in his hair once more, inhaling deeply. His lips find his temple and Kaneki leans further into his touch, yearning for more.

"Feeling better, my love?" Hide asks.

Kaneki tilts his head to look at him. His smile is sweeter than the cookies they're eating. "110 percent better."

Every day and every night, they fall deeper and deeper. They come and go, hand in hand.

The cherry blossoms fall like rain all over campus. Hide has his headphones on, finally finished with his classes for the day. He breathes in deeply, the smell of spring filling his soul.

Out of nowhere, he feels a body colliding hard against his back and he nearly collapses. Right away, he knows who it is, and he laughs as the two of them spin around to gain balance.

"There you are, baby," Hide says with a grin.

He turns his waist enough to see Kaneki hugging him from behind and those grey eyes already staring up at him. Bright and joyful.

"I missed you!" Kaneki exclaims. He pouts at him, his chin resting on his back.

Hide takes his headphones off and he turns further towards his husband. "Come here."

Kaneki laughs as Hide bends down and scatters multiple kisses on his neck. He inhales Kaneki's scent while the half-ghoul tightens his hold around his body. When Hide moves back just enough to look at his face, he sees nothing but bliss in Kaneki's expression.

They are free. They are together.

They walk out of campus side by side, telling each other about their classes. They are lucky to share at least one class together this semester. Based on the way Kaneki talks more than usual, Hide can tell he is happy to return to a normal life as a college student.

There is nothing more important to him than seeing his love at peace.

As a surprise, Hide stands in front of Kaneki when they are midway towards home. He bends down and looks over his shoulder.

"Hey, get on my back. I'll take you somewhere," Hide says. He beams at the puzzled look his husband gives him.

"Wh-Where are we going?" Kaneki asks. He takes hold of Hide's orange bag and then carefully climbs onto Hide's back.

Once Hide secures Kaneki against him, he meets the curious large eyes staring through him. "It's a surprise."

Kaneki scoffs but he smiles anyway. He wraps his arms tightly around his husband's shoulders. He presses his cheek on his back and listens to Hide's breathing as he moves.

Some strangers watch the boys with odd gazes. Hide continues carrying Kaneki like a backpack towards his intended destination. Soon, they are out of the city streets and instead of going down the usual road home, Hide takes a detour through a path Kaneki is not familiar with.

Kaneki has the urge to question Hide, but he decides against it. Instead, he enjoys the ride, loving the way Hide holds him like he is something fragile. Hide's breathing calms him more than anything else. They are quiet the whole way.

The afternoon sun is mellow and Kaneki gasps when he begins to recognize the neighborhood Hide is heading towards.

Catching sight of the familiar buildings, nostalgia hits him like lightning. Hearing Kaneki's breathing change in awe, Hide smiles and he adjusts his grip on his legs.

Soon Kaneki gasps once more when he sees the park of their childhood. The place where they first met. Their old neighborhood.

"Welcome home," Hide says and he eases himself down to let Kaneki off his back.

"We haven't been here for a long time. Nothing's changed…" Kaneki says. For some reason, he is breathless.

The park has a few children scattered here and there, but it's never too crowded. The boys make their way towards the stone whale structure and instead of climbing up, they decide to lounge against it on the ground.

They set their backpacks aside and Hide takes his seat first. He groans as his muscles relax and Kaneki joins him. Kaneki stands in front of him before settling himself down against his husband. Hide smiles warmly and wraps his arms around him in a strong embrace. Kaneki sighs happily, his head leaning on his shoulder. He places his hands on Hide's arms and holds on tightly.

Not too far from where they sit, Kaneki can see the sandbox where he and Hide first played in and he can't help but smile at the memory.

"The sun feels great today…" Hide mutters. He looks up at the blue sky, watching the fluffy white clouds.

Kaneki catches their rings clinking together when his left hand touches Hide's. He feels Hide's mouth grazing the back of his head. From where they are, nobody else is around.

He shifts so that he's facing Hide. Those brown eyes blink at him curiously but soften when Kaneki smiles. Kaneki gently grabs hold of his face and he moves closer. His lips find Hide's warm ones and he tastes him on his tongue. Soft and sweet. Their tongues peek out and touch, grazing together and caressing the insides of their mouths. Hide's hand holds the back of Kaneki's neck, his other arm secure around his waist.

Kaneki hums in pleasure as Hide deepens the kiss. Kaneki's fingers move down to his shoulders, digging into the cloth there. Hide bends forward to take more of him and Kaneki opens his mouth further to allow him to do what he pleases. Hide pulls away briefly to breathe and Kaneki laughs before stealing another greedy kiss.

Hide feels Kaneki smiling on his lips and he can't help but do the same. When they pull away after a few more minutes, Kaneki's lips are red and plump. Hide's eyes are clouded with desire and his breath is stolen at how beautiful Kaneki looks. Kaneki feels the same, lost in the way Hide gazes at him like he's the rarest treasure in the world. Hide glows like an angel in his view.

"Hide?" Kaneki asks quietly. He strokes his face with tender fingers.

"Yeah?" Hide waits for him.

"I love you," Kaneki says. His voice is honest and unwavering.

Hide's smile touches his heart and he rests their foreheads together.

"I love you. Always," Hide replies. His tone is strong. Hearing him say it never grows old to Kaneki.

In that park, their love started and blossomed. It never stops. It goes on, reaching to infinite heights that no one can see.

Most of their lives, silence reminded them of what they lost and what they thought they couldn't have. Their love was shunned in the eyes of society. Two men. A half-ghoul and a human.

To Kaneki, silence crushed him with loneliness. To Hide, he needed to be loud and wild.

But when they are together, silence is comfortable. Appreciated. Calming. It reminds them of their undying love. It carries the words in their hearts when they can't speak.

The boys are never sure of what lies ahead of them. But they know without a doubt that their feelings run deep. Coursing through their veins like the blood that keeps them alive.

In the end, their love is real.

...

...

...

I can't believe I finished this story already! To be honest, this is the first story I felt like I didn't want to end because I love Hide and Kaneki so, so much. I fell in love with their relationship in 2015 and now in May, it's officially been four years since I've been supporting the two as a couple. Someone hold me!

This story was truly my medicine. It helped me cope so much after the canon story left me extremely unsatisfied and heartbroken. Since I started shipping HideKane, I knew that I was going to write a story dedicated to them. It wasn't just a hobby for me, it was a duty. A MUST! I had to write this story for them no matter what the cost!

It's crazy because I have never supported a pairing between canon characters as deeply as I have with Hide and Kaneki. It's insane, but I love every moment of it. I'm going to feel empty now that I'm done. But again, I am so pleased that I was able to accomplish my goal. Thank you to those who took interest in this fanfic and stayed for the whole ride. I wrote this to heal myself, but I am so happy that there are others who enjoy this as much as I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. What an amazing and therapeutic experience this has been.

Please feel free to leave comments on what you thought of this last chapter and/or the story overall! Thank you for your support!