Manga/anime: Tokyo Ghoul

Warnings: nothing

(Y/N): your name

Being with Kaneki meant learning to read silence: he wasn't a guy who made grand declarations, he didn't shake her hand in public, he didn't bombard her with messages; though, he remembered how she drank coffee, he always moved her away from brightly lit windows if he saw they bothered her, when someone stared at her for a second too long with bad intentions, his gaze darkened. He was a constant, silent presence, protective but never intrusive, detached but incredibly attentive.

They had met two years before, during their senior year of high school; they've been together for a year, having started dating on the first day of college.

(Y/N) knew Kaneki was a ghoul -he had been forced to reveal it after she had heard him talking to Touka-, but she had never seen him eat, fight or show off his kagune.

Sometimes she found him sitting with a book open on his lap, his gaze lost in space, his fingers stiff and his jaw clenched.

"Is everything okay?"

He always smiled and said: "Of course" but, even so, she had understood that 'of course' meant he was hungry.

He was control, control of hunger, of strength, and above all of himself.

And she loved him.

She loved him so much.

~ ❤️ ~

That evening, (Y/N) had insisted on walking home alone: "It's only five blocks, I'll be fine", she had said, laughing. Yet, Kaneki had hesitated, his eyes frantically scanning the street, the alleys, the rooftops.

"Text me when you arrive." He had muttered.

She didn't have time.

~ ❤️ ~

Her senses sensed danger even before her brain could spread fear throughout her body.

She could smell the alcohol.

The smell of sweat permeated the entire area.

She sensed the threat.

Before (Y/N)'s brain could process it, a hand grabbed her wrist, while another tried to drag her into the shadows of an alley.

She tried to scream, but immediately the world turned red: the girl saw something black appear in front of her eyes, covering her vision, she heard a strange wet sound and then a loud, violent scream, and the strong, squeezing grip eased.

Before her wasn't her Ken, there was someone more intimidating and imposing. It was his figure, yes, but at the same time it was different.

Kaneki wasn't looking at her, his eyes were on the man lying dead at his feet, eyes that, one of that misty gray she loved to lose herself in, the other a deep red mixed with pitch black, like a ghoul's, gleamed not angry, not furious, but hungry. His kagune unfurled behind him, slow and terrifying, as if it was breathing, the appendages moving with a cruel grace, still stained. His chest rose and fell too quickly.

The human's stomach tightened, her heart dropped into her throat, her body shook violently, not so much because of what had happened, but due to the scene she had witnessed.

Her brain tried to process it, yet her body moved first: a light, gentle step backward, unheard by a man. However, he wasn't a man, and the faint sound was caught.

The half-ghoul froze, his kagune paralyzed in midair, his red eye trembling.

Then, his fearsome eyes met hers, softening immediately, but she didn't even notice it.

"Did he hurt you?" The voice was still his, so soft, so shaky and broken, but also slightly cracked.

(Y/N) wanted to answer, to run toward him, but the horrendous scene before her didn't match the image she had built up over the course of two years.

Silence fell between them, broken only by another slight, trembling retreat, which shattered the flat, deathlike tranquility just as the kagune had ripped through the drunken man moments before.

And Kaneki understood.

The tentacles suddenly retracted, as if burned, the eye returned to normal.

"Sorry..." He whispered, not daring to approach the girl.

And then he was gone. Not metaphorically, he truly disappeared, swallowed up by the shadows.

Only silence remained.

~ ❤️ ~

(Y/N) hadn't slept well for three days: she kept reliving that moment. She didn't remember the blood, nor the kagune, but the way Kaneki had broken when she had pulled away from him, as if he had collapsed.

Her gesture hadn't been one of rejection. It had been shock, an unconscious fear of not understanding, of not recognizing her boyfriend.

And yet, for him, it had been confirmation, confirmation of his monstrosity, and that was killing her.

~ ❤️ ~

Kaneki hadn't answered her messages. Nor her calls.

He hadn't gone to her house.

He hadn't returned to Anteiku, where she had found only Yoshimura.

~ ❤️ ~

Anteiku was immersed in a silence unlike that of the night: it wasn't quiet, but expectation.

(Y/N) sat at her usual table -where she used to sit with him-, her fingers intertwined around a cup of coffee which hadn't steamed in a while. She didn't remember when she had ordered it, she didn't even know if she had asked for it or if he had brought it automatically.

Behind the counter, Yoshimura was slowly drying a cup. As always, his gesture was measured and precise.

"Kaneki-kun is fighting." The sentence had fallen between them soundlessly, but it hadn't been reassuring.

"Is he... okay?" The girl's voice cracked slightly, like something drawn out too long.

The ghoul looked up; in his eyes was that calm that knew too much and therefore never rushed. He set the cup down on the table, making a soft sound that still seemed to break something.

"Kaneki-kun has always been afraid of being seen in his entirety." He paused.

"When someone sees his darker half... He fears it's the last thing they'll see."

Her hands tightened around the ceramic, turning white from the tight grip: "I don't...". The words caught in her throat, because she had taken a step back, even though she hadn't wanted to, because her body had reacted before her heart.

Yoshimura tilted his head slightly.

"For those who live feeling like something that shouldn't exist, even a single moment of hesitation can be felt like confirmation." The silence thickened, almost deathly, and the air seemed to cool ten degrees.

"If he thinks he scared you -He continued gently- he'll stay away. He won't do it to punish you, nor out of pride -A shadow crossed his gaze- but because it's easier to disappear than risk being looked at with fear."

(Y/N)'s heart sank.

"I wasn't afraid of him. I was afraid I wasn't strong enough. And I might lose him."

"Kaneki-kun doesn't fear death. He fears rejection."

The distant sound of the wind against the windows suddenly seemed clearer.

"If you want to find him -He finally added- don't look for him where there's fighting."

His gaze shifted upward, beyond the glass, toward the dimly lit rooftops looming over Anteiku: "Look for him where the silence is big enough to contain what he cannot say".

~ ❤️ ~

(Y/N) found him on the terrace of a building not far from Anteiku, where he went when he needed silence.

He was sitting on the edge of the ledge, his legs dangling in the air, his shoulders hunched, his gaze lost in the city below. He seemed tiny against the Tokyo night sky, he was so human.

"Ken..." That time their eyes didn't meet.

"You shouldn't be here." His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in days.

The girl got closer anyway, her steps uncertain, as if she was approaching a wild beast.

"Why didn't you look for me?"

He let out a mirthless laugh: "Because I saw your face. And I understood what you were thinking".

Finally he turned around, the wind ruffling his hair. His dark circles were deep under his eyes, his red, sad eyes no longer shining.

"I saved you -He said- And you walked away as if I was something to protect yourself from."

"It wasn't tha-

"It always is -His voice cracked as he stood up- When they find out what I am, it's always like this. I'm not human. Not truly, not enough. And I'm not even a full ghoul. I'm just... something that shouldn't exist."

"When I fight for you -He continued, his voice almost becoming a growl- I don't think. If someone touches you... I want to destroy. And for a moment, when I hit him... I felt hungry -He lowered his gaze, his tone becoming almost uncertain, reluctant- I was afraid of myself. And then I saw you were too."

A dead silence fell.

"Why can't anyone love me completely? Why do I always have to hide half of who I am just to stay with someone?"

"I love you."

Kaneki stiffened.

"I love you for how you take care of me, how you protect me and love me. I love you when you read to take your mind off hunger. I love you when you pretend to be just kind and not fragile. I love you when you apologize for things that aren't your fault. And... I love you even when your eye turns red."

The wind stopped, as the half-human shivered.

Slowly, as if it was the most dangerous act of his life, he released his kagune, which undulated behind him, alive and pulsing.

That time, (Y/N) didn't move, her heart stronger than her body and mind, which recalled terror. Rather, she approached, stopping a breath away from him and raising her hand to place it on his warm, human cheek.

"When I pulled away, I was shocked. I was afraid, it's true, but I was never afraid of you: I was afraid of not being strong enough to stay, of losing what I had." His red eye trembled, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"I don't just want the easy part of you. I want everything, even the part that makes you believe you're unlovable." His lips trembled. Kaneki was crying silently, as always.

"You don't know what it means." He murmured, his voice cracking and hoarse from crying.

"Then explain it to me."

"If one day I lose control-

"We'll fight together."

"What if I become something you no longer recognize?"

She looked into his eyes: "Then I'll remind you who you are".

The kagune slowly dissolved.

He embraced her, not with the usual gentleness, composure, restraint, but as if he was afraid she was just an illusion: he held her like someone who had spent his entire life waiting for someone to stay after seeing everything.

"Love me even like this." He whispered into her hair.

"I love you especially like this."

And when they kissed, there was nothing left between them -no more fears or secrets-, only the truth and her conscious choice to stay.

Happy Valentine's Day!! 🌺❤️

💮 Rules 💮 Masterlist 💮

a/n  ⊹ 570 words, bit longer than expected, plain fluff, kaneki x fem reader, thankyou for the cute req, idk i just went with it and it ended up sounding a lot like one eyed king kaneki but idk honestly

he’s sitting there on your couch, impossibly relaxed with a novel half-folded in one hand, eyes scanning the page like he hasn’t just wrecked your entire nervous system with his presence alone. his free arm wraps around your waist, fingers easily settling low and warm against your back, pulling you flush against his chest.

"hey, kaneki," you began casually, lips quivering. his bicep tenses lightly when he lifts the book higher, the motion smooth, practiced — like he doesn’t even realize the way it pulls at his shirt sleeve. the fabric clings for a second before easing back, leaving just enough of the shape beneath to make it hard not to stare. the shift in his grip makes the tendons in his forearm flex, veins pressing faintly against skin, trailing down to his wrist — and god, why did something so mundane have to look so good on him? it’s distracting, watching the way his fingers curl around the edge of the spine again, slow and deliberate like he’s thinking about more than just reading.

so when you blurt out, “do you think you could carry me? y'know, like, princess style?” — it’s not premeditated. it’s more of a thought that slipped past your lips before your brain could catch it.

kaneki glances up from his book with that unreadable expression he wears sometimes, soft and observant. “you want me to carry you?” he repeats it like he's clarifying, but there’s a flicker in his eyes — something interested.

your mouth opens, then closes. “i mean... yeah?” you laugh awkwardly, brushing it off. “unless you’re gonna drop me. then never mind, pretend i said nothing.”

but he blinks just once, slow. his gaze lingers on you for a moment longer than it should, and without a word, he shuts his book and places it on the arm of the couch. you freeze. "i wouldn't drop you," he reassures calmly, then pauses for a moment, eyes still scanning you monotonously. "so? you gettin' up or what?" he moves closer to you, and you instinctively take a step back. "wait, wait, you're serious? you're actually gonna-" his arm slides beneath your knees. the other curls around your waist.

you don’t even have time to protest; one second you’re on the floor, and the next, you’re weightless, lifted clean off your feet and held effortlessly against his chest.

his grip is sure, precise — like he’s done this a hundred times in his head and now it’s just muscle memory. the arm under your knees is solid, but it’s the hand at your waist that really gets you: low and warm, fingers splayed wide, pulling you closer than strictly necessary. his thumb presses lightly against your side as he adjusts you, and you swear your whole body tingles happily at the contact.

you blink up at him, breath catching. “you actually— you’re doing it?”

he glances down at you, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. “you asked.”

his gaze drops to your face for a second, then flicks to your mouth — “you’re really warm,” you say suddenly, because your brain panics and that’s what it comes up with. nice. smooth. kaneki pauses, and then smirks; his eyes dip slightly, dark lashes low, and when he speaks, his voice has dropped just a little lower.

“mm,” he murmurs. “is that your way of saying you like being in my arms?" you swallow, fingers tightening around the fabric, but it doesn't go unnoticed. the hand at your waist shifts, fingers teasing the hem of your top like he's testing how much further he could go. "you're blushin'," he adds nonchalantly. "cute."

you try to play it off, but then he leans in. just slightly. enough for his breath to fan across your cheek — and you can feel the shape of his smile when he speaks again. “you know…” he says quietly, voice teasing. “if you keep squirming in my arms like that, i’m gonna start thinking you’re trying to get a reaction out of me.”

"i'm not," you protest, arms wrapping around his comfortably warm neck. his grip tightens, lips grazing your ear now. “no?” he murmurs. “feels like you want me to do somethin' with you like this, angel.”

. ܁₊ ⊹ . ܁ ⟡ ܁ . ⊹ ₊ ܁.

♡ ken kaneki x fem reader suggestive drool kissing food play?? ( ice lolly ) littl drabble.. ( 400 wrds )

HOLD ME.

— pairing ; kaneki ken x human!gn!reader

— summary ; small spoon kaneki just wants to feel safe and comforted in your arms.

— cw ; fluff, comfort, kaneki is the tiniest small spoon, est. relationship, more fluffiest fluffy fluff, okay maybe a lil angst

Day Eight of The Underrated And The Unwritten

Notes: nearly done with this event omg. also I was thinking about doing a second part this day

Warnings: some gore? just things that are normal in the anime and slight yandere themes

Characters involved: Kaneki Ken, Juuzou Suzuya

Gender-neutral reader

Kaneki Ken

Your wet footsteps echoed across the abandoned alley, with a ragged gasp leaving your form every time your shoe slapped against the concrete.

Normally, you would have simply slunk into a stray corner of the dark street and waited for the ghouls to run past you towards another human, but today was different.

Today, they seemed to be adamant about having you in particular.

Perhaps if you had paid more attention to their intentions you could have saved yourself from such a situation, but after a day of tirelessly arguing with Kaneki about his latest missions with Aogiri Tree.

He was falling in too deep, doing things that he couldn't possibly find his way back from, and as angry as that made you it also worried you severely, something Kaneki chose to disregard and ignore until your built-up emotions exploded.

In your distressed state, you hadn't thought twice about running out of the house empty-handed but as you came to a stop in the dead-end alley you couldn't help but hope you had at least brought your phone with you.

"Where do you think you're running off to, little human? Don't you know us ghouls can easily catch up to you?"

The older man was quick to let out his Kagune as he spoke, with the long blue tendrils leaving no room for you to even think of escaping. Not that you could have in the first place.

You weren't one to shy away from a fight, yet as the ghoul drew closer you couldn't help but cower into the concrete behind you, with the loud racing thumps of your heart drowning out any thoughts of escape.

Unfortunately, they had also drowned out the sweeping sound of another ghoul racing across the rooftop of the house behind you and gracefully falling to the spot before you.

"You know, normally, I don't like killing other ghouls-"

You had never been more thankful to hear Kaneki's voice, but the warmth filling up your chest soon ran cold the second your eyes shifted to register his Kagune.

"-but you really chose the wrong human today."

He didn't even wait for the other man to reply before quickly launching his Kagune forward, with its sharp knife-like tips poking gaping holes into the other ghoul's body until he was but a bleeding pile of flesh on the alley's floor.

It was only then that Kaneki finally chose to turn towards you, wordlessly reaching for one of your palms as he allowed his Kagune to vanish.

"You can get angry at me, hate me, yell and even hit me. I don't care. But don't-"

he sighed as he took a small step forward, with his other hand coming to cup your cheek and wipe away stray tears you hadn't even registered up until then.

"-don't ever put yourself in danger like that again. That's the one thing I cannot accept."

His palm fell away from your face after that, instead falling down to pull the hood of his hoodie up while he tugged on your interlocked hands to lead you out of the alley.

The two of you didn't dare breathe a word to each other, but the way you silently clung onto his hand and didn't try to run away at the sight of his apartment's front door said enough.

Kaneki Ken might have been a misunderstood yet violent ghoul, but he was your ghoul. And as much as you would try to run from it, you were his too.

You just hoped he wouldn't ever forget that.

Juuzou Suzuya

You weren't at the cafe.

It took Juuzou a moment to properly process the sight of the empty booth at the back of the cafe, and another to take in the sight of your favourite book discarded on your usual seat.

Anyone else wouldn't have thought twice about the upside-down novel laying flat in a way that would clearly ruin the pages, but to Juuzou the badly placed book was all the evidence he needed to know that you had left your date in a fit of anger after the little argument.

The blond quizzically tilted his head to the side as he spun on his heels, quickly taking his leave from the cafe to instead stand before the door like a lost child.

It took him a moment, but just as Juuzou was going to convince himself that you had simply rushed to the bathroom sometime after he had, he spotted exactly what he was looking for.

A sign.

The small bracelet discarded beside the lamp post certainly wasn't anything out of the ordinary, but it was enough for Juuzou to confirm two things.

While you had probably left the cafe of your own will, something had gone wrong right as you were about to leave the street entirely.

He didn't even think twice before swivelling to the right towards the back alley he had spotted on his way there, with a breathy laugh escaping his lips the second Juuzou realised he had been right.

You had met one of his old classmates.

Or rather, they had tracked down the only possible weakness Juuzou had and tried to use you for some revenge plan.

He didn't even think twice before letting out his Quinque and charging at the ghoul towering over your injured form, with his mind going into attack mode and forgetting everything else.

It was only when the ghoul lay on the ground before him like a mangled corpse that Juuzou registered his maniacal giggle and the blood dripping down his hand and slowly approaching the end of his white button-up.

However, it was the sight of your widened, fear-filled eyes that had him finally putting down the Quinque in favour of consoling you.

Juuzou felt another giggle bubble up in his ribcage as he squatted down before you, nonchalantly reaching for your form until his arm was casually wrapped around your shoulders and he was pulling you towards him.

"Aw, are you alright, doll? Do you want me to beat him up more for revenge?"

The way you quickly shook your head at his questions only caused another laugh to tumble past his lips as he pulled you up alongside him.

Juuzou took a moment to grab his suitcase before wrapping his hand around your wrist and tugging you along with him, paying no mind to the dying ghoul in the alley as he led you back to the cafe the two of you had planned to meet up at.

"Come on, we can just forget about the stupid fight! We're going to be late and then I won't be able to spend much time with you!"

He could tell the way he was so casual about the entire ordeal got to you by the way your eyes still remained widened as you barely mustered a nod, but Juuzou couldn't bring himself to do anything about your fear, not when he was too busy reigning in his own.

He could have lost you.

Juuzou could have really lost you.

For the first time in forever, Juuzou found himself feeling a sense of fear at the idea of someone's death, and he hated it, for it made him feel like a weak little child.

He hadn't even realised his grip on your wrist had impossibly tightened until you let out a soft whine and retracted your hand, with the action causing Juuzou to finally turn towards you.

"Are you okay?"

"What do you mean? I should be asking you that."

You shook your head at his response, taking a small step forward and abandoning his hand to instead cup his cheek.

"This is why we argue in the first place, Juuzou. You never let me in."

A small sigh left his lips as Juuzou felt all the adrenaline from his small fight leave to instead be replaced with a sunken feeling, one that only worsened his newfound fear.

"If I didn't let you in we wouldn't be together."

"I suppose that's true, but you need to learn to communicate with me."

You took another step towards him, getting impossibly closer until your forehead was resting against his.

"I want to be there for you, Juuzou."

If it had been anyone else, he would have been quick to hide behind his excitable farce and pretend to not be affected by their words, but as his eyes met yours Juuzou couldn't help but feel himself give in and move his hand to rest over the one you placed on his cheek.

"I'll try. For you."

It wasn't a grand change and didn't necessarily fix anything, but somehow his words seemed to be enough for you to finally nod and smile widely as you removed your hand to instead take his palm in yours and lead the way back to the cafe.

Juuzou had always sworn that he would never let anyone in to form connections and play with his heart that would make him vulnerable and just like everyone else, yet as he watched you casually take your seat at the table and set aside your novel, he couldn't help but change his mind.

Parings: Superstar!Reader x Black Hair Kaneki

Warnings: Mild Cursing, Not Proof Read

Word Count: 709

*Ring Ring*

You stare at your phone blankly before getting up to check who it is. “Kaneki <3” the contact reads. You smile slightly before answering. Before this you were getting ready for another show for the 4th night in a row. Being on tour wasn’t an easy task especially for someone like you. You preferred being as close to Kaneki at all times and being in a different country isn’t ideal for you personally. These concerts wore you out but getting a call from Kaneki always made you feel a bit better.

You finally answer his call, putting the phone up to your ear and letting out a happy “Hello!” Before hearing his voice respond with another hello. “I just wanted to check in and make sure you were doing okay!” He says in a caring tone. He always talked in this tone with you, always making you feel loved. “I’m doing fine but I would be a lot better if you were here with me.” You responded attempting to be flirty but saying the corniest shit ever. He chuckles on the phone before realizing the time. “Oh wait.. doesn’t your show start in 5 minutes?” Checking the time you realize he was right. “OH SHIT IT DOES I LOVE YOU BYEE.” You spit out quickly before hanging up and shoving your phone into your pocket and heading outside to the stage.

You let out a sigh before walking to the drum set and opening a new pack of drum sticks. “Three more shows..” Was all you could think of. Three more shows until you could be happily back in his arms. How kind how sweet and how absolutely stunning he was and he was all yours. You tiredly looked around at your band members and the crowd hoping for this to be over soon. The more you stared into the crowd you saw one individual stick out. Maybe it was eyepatch or maybe it was the bright glow sticks he was waving and he staring directly at you. Kaneki..? Immediately, your eyes widened with excitement and joy. How was he here? Didn’t he have to work at the cafe? Questions crowded your mind until you heard your leader signal it was time to start.

The concert was a breeze. Just knowing he was there watching you made the time go by so much faster. As soon as you and your band finished you walked off stage to find Kaneki. After signing some autographs and taking pictures with fans you finally found him outside of the venue sitting on a bench alone. Upon eye contact you jumped into his arms hugging him tightly laying your head on his shoulder. “I missed you so much…” You muffle, holding him tighter than ever. He holds the back of your head and hugs you tightly back. Feeling his warmth is enough to make you melt with pure bliss. It’s only been four days but god how you missed him.

“I’ve missed you too..” He says kissing your forehead. Loosening your grip on him you raise your head and kiss him. “I think we should go back to my hotel hm?” He nods in agreement which leads to you two in your hotel room. After you two both take a shower you hop into bed together and you immediately cling onto him cuddling him. “How did you even get here??” You ask him muffled due to the fact that your head is in his chest. “And what about your job? Don’t they need you?” Bombarding him with questions. He takes a deep breath before responding, “I just took a couple days off.. Touka said she had me covered.” Letting out a light hearted chuckle. “She actually wanted me to go. Said something about you missing me a lot.” He says looking at you suspiciously with a cheeky smirk on his face.

You get flustered knowing Touka snitched on you. “THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CONFIDENTIAL!” You reply back in a slightly loud tone. Hugging him tighter as you closed your eyes. “I’m just glad you’re here..” Kissing his neck, you begin to drift off to sleep in his warm embrace. Kaneki can’t help but smile and kiss your scalp before whispering into your ear.

“You’re my superstar, baby..”

“Hey.. um, I--” Your breath hitched when you see Kaneki so peaceful on the sofa clutching a book, mouth parted slightly as soft snores escape. The sunlight streaming from the open window made his white hair cast a halo around his head. He was beautiful. You smile as you come in contact with the tip of his nose which was cold. This made him sniff and caused his eyes to flutter open.

He smiled when he saw you, taking your hand in his and placing it against his cheek. “Good morning.”

“I made food. You wanna come eat?” You blushed, looking away as he kissed your palm.

“Mhmm. What did you make?”

“Well, your favourite, I suppose. Can you make the coffee?” You asked hopefully, walking beside him as you two made your way downstairs. The smell of meat greeting you two. He made his way towards the kitchen, grabbing the mugs set on the table.

“You want the usual? Or would you like it iced?” You roll your eyes, knowing he never listens to you when it comes to coffee. And you were right as he places steaming mugs in front of you along with cubes of sugar and a carton of milk.

After practically gobbling the food, you decide to take time appreciating the hot beverage. Puffs of white clouds were huffed out, feet tucked under sweatshirts as you let the crackling of fire and the smell of caffeine, oddly enough, put you in a serene state. Moments like this makes you wonder how lucky you are having him in your life and getting to spend each and every day with him. Kaneki reached out to poke your cheek and cocks his head, you take this as an invitation to head back to your bed, and you decide to wash the dishes later.