Chapter Text
“Thank you for visiting us today and we eagerly await your next visit,” Kaneki said with a smile and slight bow of his head. The grandmotherly woman smiled in return before leaving with her order of herbal tea and cake. The entry bell chimed with her departure and Kaneki finally allowed the fake smile to fall from his face.
It was his first day back at Anteiku and the first day he’s been separated from Hide since their bonding. It was downright agonizing to be away from his Hide, his dear beloved mate. It had taken everything in him to let go of Hide’s hand when dropping him off at his workplace, wanting nothing more than to drag the blonde back to their love-nest where he knew he would safe.
Hide had giggled at his apprehension when they had arrived in front of TC Express, though Kaneki could tell his lover didn’t want to leave him either. The passionate kiss Hide left him with told him as much.
“Just because we don’t have any customers at the moment doesn’t mean you can wear that mopey look on your face,” Touka said with a teasing poke to his side. “What? Spending an entire week with your boyfriend wasn’t enough for you?”
No, it wasn’t. Kaneki didn’t understand how newly bonded couples could stand being away from each other so soon, especially true-mates.
“Thanks for dropping off food for us,” Kaneki said, changing the subject. “We certainly were unprepared for an actual heat, what with Hide posing as a beta. We owe you one.”
“Don’t mention it,” Touka replied with a single shouldered shrug and smile. “But I am curious as to why Hide would pretend to be a beta. He doesn’t seem like the type that would be ashamed of his secondary gender.” Her violet eyes narrowed as if a thought just occurred to her. “It has something to do with the earlier incident, doesn’t it?”
A scowl formed on the male barista’s face at the reminder. The thought of that scumbag that had caused his beloved such mental anguish made his blood boil, and he knew if he were ever to meet the other Alpha he’d wouldn’t be able to stop himself from causing the man bodily harm. “It does. Hide was keeping it a secret so his parents wouldn’t try to force him into marriage again.”
The female ghoul shook her head in disgust. “I said it before and I’ll say it again, his parents are some fucked up people.”
“Agreed.”
Fuck. Now he was in a bad mood. He cracked his index finger unconsciously as he simmered in his dark thoughts, thinking of what he’d do if saw the man in the red suit lurking about again. Would sending Saburo back bloodied and bruised be enough to dissuade the former fiancé to leave Hide be? Or would it be better to make him disappear completely? Kaneki had no qualms either way.
“Now you’ve gone from mopey to scary. Make sure you wipe that look off your face before any customers show up.”
That was easier said than done. Try as he might with deep breaths and pleasant thoughts, his dour mood refused to abate. No, the only thing that could calm Kaneki down now was Hide safe in his arms. Preferably at home, in the blonde’s nest composed of warm blankets and pillows. Their scents intermingling in the air, along with the soothing aroma of coffee and books. Oh, how he longed for just one more day of that peaceful life.
It was at that moment that the half-ghoul felt a near imperceivable pull on his subconscious. It was feather-light, yet unmistakable. A cherry blossom petal just glancing his cheek as it danced in the wind, yet was oh so warm, and Kaneki instinctively reached for it, wanting nothing more than to bask in its warmth like a cat snuggling in a basket of clothes fresh from the dryer.
‘Hide~’ Kaneki smiled dreamily, embracing his beloved through their bond. Almost immediately he could feel the warmth fully envelop his body, slowly melting away all of his tension and banishing his foul mood.
‘Kaneki~’ It was almost as if he could hear the blonde’s voice, so deep and complete was their bond. A gentle caress along his cheek, a soft press of lips on his forehead. It honestly felt like Hide was right next to him instead of several blocks away.
‘What’s got you so upset?~’
He could tell Hide was worried, no doubt feeling his tension. ‘I didn’t mean to worry you,’ the ghoul whispered in his mind, trying to send reassurance that he was okay.
“Ugh! What’s with that dopey look on Kaneki’s face?” asked Nishio, feeling weirded out by the half-ghoul’s smiley, dazed expression, along with occasional giggles.
“…Let’s just be thankful he’s not looking murderous anymore,” replied Touka.
~*0o0*~
“Huh? Kaneki? What are you doing here? Didn’t you get my message?” asked Hide when the half-ghoul entered his workplace. The blonde met him at the doorway with a brief hug before pulling him into the company’s breakroom. Hide’s co-workers all shouted a happy greeting as they continued to work hard packing and moving boxes.
“I did,” Kaneki replied, kissing Hide proper when they had the privacy. “But you can’t possible expect me to let you walk home alone so late at night.”
“But I don’t even know when I’ll be able to leave, Neki! We still have so much work to do and to make matters worse, we’re down a person tonight.”
“Arata, I’m presume?” Kaneki hadn’t seen, nor smelt the irresponsible human.
“You presume correctly. Get this; not only did he not show up for work today, but he didn’t show up for work all last week when I—when we were—”
Kaneki watched humorously as his lover’s face turned a rosy pink and he had to stop himself from kissing his mate silly. “A-Anyway, he was out the entire time which is why we’re so backed up now.”
“Maybe he was dealing with a heat, too?” asked Kaneki a little sarcastically.
The omega giggled. “While that would’ve been a good excuse, Arata was spotted hanging out at the Game Corner, so…”
It was then that Kenzo entered the room, looking pretty exhausted and harried. “Ah Hide-kun, there you are. We need your help with a team-lift.”
“Gotcha! I’m on my way.” The delivery boy turned back to his boyfriend with an apologetic look on his face. “Will you really be okay in here until I’m done?
“It’s fine; I don’t mind waiting for you. Besides, I can read a book on my phone.” A thought then occurred to him, so he asked Kenzo, “Kenzo-san, is it possible for me to help out? I know I can’t handle anything with personal information, but maybe I could help prepare the boxes, help clean up, or at the very least get coffee for everyone?”
“Well…” started the store owner, unsure but looking very tempted.
“Oh please, please let Hide’s boyfriend help!” pleaded one of Hide’s co-workers named Izuka.
“We need coffee, boss,” whined Hana. “We need the extra energy!”
“You can count on ‘Neki to work hard, boss!” added Hide. “And we need all the help we can get to get the rest of the holiday orders out!”
“…As long as you’re completely okay with it, Kaneki-kun,” Kenzo finally replied.
Kaneki smiled and nodded. “I am. Thanks, Kenzo-san. I’ll get everyone some coffee first.”
~*0o0*~
By 2 o’clock in the morning, the work was completed and the TC Express employees and Kaneki all stumbled out of the store.
“Thanks again for all of your help, Kaneki-kun,” Kenzo said with an exhausted smile.
“Yeah, you rock, dude!” exclaimed Izuka.
“Couldn’t have done it without you, Kaneki-san,” agreed Hana.
“Alright everyone,” began the store owner as he locked up the place and placed a sign on the glass doors. “…Due to us working until such a late hour, I’m going to open the store at 12 o’clock in the afternoon instead of 9 am. That way everyone will get plenty of rest and recuperation. And hopefully by Monday we’ll have a new worker joining our team.”
“Alright! Thank you, boss!” chorused the employees.
“Get home safely, everyone.”
“See you guys tomor—er—in a few hours!”
Hand-in-hand, Kaneki and Hide huddled close as they made their way back home.
“Thanks again for helping us, ‘Neki! We would’ve been there until at least 4 in the morning without your help!” He leaned over and pecked the other male on the cheek. “And I can’t wait to meet Arata’s replacement. Can only hope they’re not half as lazy as he was.”
“It was my pleasure, Hide,” the Alpha replied, purring from his lover’s affection and praise. “Let’s hurry and get you home so you can sleep.”
“Sounds *yawn* good.” He leaned heavily against the other man, snuggling his arm.
Kaneki chuckled at the cute display and pulled Hide closer. “Would you like me to carry you? You look dead on your feet.”
The blonde yawned again and rubbed at his brown eyes. “…You don’t mind?”
The half-ghoul huffed out a soft laugh. “Do you even have to ask?” He bent down and waited until he felt the warm weight of his lover settle on back, the sweet scent of spiced citrus wafting into his sensitive nose. Once he established a firm grip, he stood back up, shifting here and there to get Hide properly settled. “Ready?”
“’m ready. Love you, ‘Neki.”
“Love you, too.”
END CHAPTER