Linger

by Sapphirie

Fandom : Tokyo Ghoul

Pairing : Touka Kirishima : Ken Kaneki

Rating : M for Smut

Summary : He left because he wanted to become stronger, to keep her safe. But also, maybe because he's afraid of how she'll see the changes in him and scare her away. He believes it was the right decision, but can't help but long for her especially when he's alone. | She still waits, and feels her heart soar when she finds his scent lingering in her apartment.

Disclaimer : I do not own Tokyo Ghoul, obvious much? Ishida Sui owns Tokyo Ghoul. If I did, I might be rolling naked in money right now. Huehuehue!

Author's Notes : I'm writing in hopes that I'll get this pairing out of my system. I'll be using the manga's storyline to write this piece. More specifically, the time when Kaneki left to go on his own and become stronger as he said- post-Aogiri. It's been years since I last wrote- forgive my mistakes in terms of grammar and the specifics of the fandom.

I also wanted to submit this for TouKen Smut Week, but I found out about that too late. Hehehe.

Kaneki might be a little OOC, he'd have to be to do all the things on this fic. I just thought that being on the brink of death would have changed him to be more proactive in his life. Okay, he might be a little aggressive instead of proactive here, sorry about that. I did it to try to remove the awkwardness of having sex for the first time. I'm hoping it worked. LOL

Anyway, I hope you guys like it. :)

Touka stopped at the front door of her apartment, a familiar smell still in the air. Closing her eyes, she concentrated and felt for his presence at the other side of the door- she felt none. 'He's already gone', she thought, her shoulders slouching. A piercing ache passed through her chest as she opened the door, relishing the scent he left behind and took her shoes off by the porch then dropped her things in the living area.

This was the third time Kaneki broke into her apartment. How he managed to do so, still baffles her. The only spare key she has to the apartment was with Yoriko, and she said it was still kept safe along with her house keys and even showed it to her. The girl was curious as to why she asked and Touka simply brushed it off as a random question, in which Yoriko no longer persisted.

The first time this happened, she saw a tiny rabbit keychain on her living table, the one she's using on her phone now. She held it in her hands as she wept, curled up in a ball on the sofa. If it was in anger or sadness or both, she couldn't tell. The fragrance he left then wasn't as strong as it is now.

The second time, about a week apart, his scent lingered a little longer. As she sat on her sofa that night, she could tell that he spent a bit more time in her apartment, his scent was strongest on the sofa- now long gone. That got her thinking if he was waiting for her, but she decided to stop since she'll only hurt herself from hoping that he was. She fell asleep there that night, too tired to cry.

She walked around the apartment, trying to determine where his scent was the strongest, looking for something he might have left behind. He's been to the living area and the kitchen only briefly, taking note that nothing was touched. Tired as she was right now, she walked straight to the bathroom and took a bath. She wanted to be clean before she falls on the bed to sleep.

Skin flushed from the heat of the tub, with only her pink bunny-printed towel on, she headed to her room to get dressed. She stiffened upon opening the door, noticing that his scent was the strongest here. She looked around to see if he had left anything for her, putting on her black lacy knickers and tank top along the way. Finding nothing among her drawers, and her desk, she flopped down on her bed, the sheets and pillows bouncing along with it.

Her body went rigid when she realized where his scent is originating from. She tossed in the bed, inhaling his intoxicating scent, tears stinging her eyes from the memory of him. It hurts, missing him so much, but there was a small comfort in knowing that he was on her bed, a reassurance making her strong enough to fight the tears.

She fumbled to cover herself with the blanket, engulfing her body in a cocoon of his fragrance. As she waited for sleep to take over, she can't help but wonder why he was in her room to begin with. Her heart gave a little stutter, a flicker of hope that maybe he missed her as much as she did. Which leads her to question why won't he wait to see her at least?

Deflated, Touka snuggled further into the sheets inhaling the sweet scent of him. However, as minutes ticked by with each breath she took in, the more restless she got. The smell of him on her bed, was stirring something inside her she can't explain. Another whiff, and the sensation went down to the pit of her stomach, making her groan in the process. She twisted on her back, dragged another breath, the feeling repeating itself more pronounced this time. She felt her nipples tingle, and felt heat rush from her core, making her moan. Realizing what's happening to her body, she sat up straight and got up from bed.

Red-faced, she can't believe she's been reduced to the same tendencies as that stupid Gourmet! Shamelessly writhing on her own! Deciding that it would be better to tire herself to sleep and cool off, she walked to the bathroom to splash cool water on her heated face.

After opening her bedroom door, she stopped abruptly in the living area, surprised where she saw him standing, his gray eyes staring at her. Was she so distracted inside her room that she failed to notice his presence in her apartment? Or was this another dream? The latter option was more believable, but if it was the former- then she'd be dead in a suitcase if it was an investigator who managed to get inside.

Unable to believe herself, she tested with a weak voice, "Kaneki?"

He didn't say anything at first, making her think he was only an apparition. "Touka," his raspy voice reached her after a while, not moving from his spot.

That was all the answer she needed and sped at him full force hitting him with her right fist in the face. She only managed to land one on his left jaw, startling and jolting him from his position slightly.

"Fuck!" She hissed and flicked her right hand vigorously at her side. "Your jaw got harder!"

"What the hell was that for?!" Kaneki winced once he got his senses back, rubbing at his jaw.

"For being an idiot!" Touka yelled at him while still clutching her right hand in her left one, making him shift slightly at the accusation.

After a pause, Kaneki took her right hand in his, pulling her body closer. He clutched her wrist firmly, leaving no room for Touka to take her hand back from him. "I'm sorry," he told her gently. "I shouldn't have asked. I probably deserved that."

"Hell yeah, you did!" She spat vehemently.

Bringing his left hand up, his eyes on their joined hands, he caressed the swollen knuckles with his right one. "I'm sorry," he says again.

"It'll heal, forget it," she said dismissively and starts to pull her hand away but his vise-like grip won't let her. Her eyes flicked to their entwined hands to his eyes that still looked at her hand. She felt like she should say something along the lines of how happy she was to see him, but immediately remembered the pain she had to go through missing him. She was about to protest and take her hand back but he surprised her by pressing his soft lips on the last remnant of her swollen knuckles, shocking her.

Heat rushed to her face, her body stiffening all the more upon realizing that she's still only in her black lacy underwear and a flimsy black tank top. Taking advantage of her stunned silence, he grasped her by her shoulders and pulled her closer, tucking her into his chest.

Immobilized, Touka allowed Kaneki to place her head on his chest, near his right shoulder, his face close to hers as he lowered his chin down on her head. His arms wrapped around her body, fully embracing her, tightening his hold on her waist. He nuzzled her hair, going lower, feeling her hands turn to fists on his chest as his trail passed by her left ear and then ending at her neck. He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, so much better than how her sheets smelled like.

She shivered slightly in his arms as he released his breath over the skin on her nape. He caught another scent in the air- Touka's, but headier, warmer, and more palpable on his tongue. He wanted more. He pressed a chaste kiss on her neck, causing Touka to bite on her lip to stop a little mewl from coming out.

Wanting to hear her voice, he trailed his nose upwards, one arm secured on her waist, his other hand trailing along her back. His open mouth ghosted hot puffs of air on her skin and stopped below her ear and sank his teeth in.

That did the trick, a little moan escaped her mouth. The burning sensation from her core flared, her scent becoming stronger. He laved the area with his tongue, savoring the whimper she's trying to hold back. He raised his lips to her ear, his hot breath fanning the sensitive shell, making her legs tremble beneath her.

"I can smell you down there," he whispered. A helpless cry tore from her throat, her hands burying themselves in his black shirt. He can't help but be pleased with her reaction, a smile pulling at his lips. "I'd like to see how you taste like," he added.

That seemed to wake her from her stupor. He didn't allow her to argue and attacked her lips in a searing kiss. Touka didn't have time to retaliate, her breath stolen from her as he caught her lips in his, tasting her. He nibbled on her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth, pulling it down and forced his tongue in her mouth.

They both groaned at the sensation. Touka dug her nails into the fabric of his shirt as Kaneki slid his hands inside her top, caressing the smooth skin he found on her back. They parted for air, Kaneki recovering first and taking her mouth in his again. Touka's right hand fisted in the hair on his nape, her other hand going under his arm beneath his shirt, clutching at the bare skin on his hard back.

He groaned, liking the way her hands feel on his back. The little tilt he felt from her mouth indicated she was happy with his reaction. He paid her back by gliding both of his hands down her body, going inside her undies and giving her rounded ass a tight squeeze, earning him a deep moan from her.

Keeping her in place using his hands on her rear, he ground his hips into hers making her aware of his desire for her. The action caused them to release each other from the kiss with a groan. After taking in a bit of air, he took her lips in another hungry kiss, his right hand digging a little deeper in her undies.

His fingers parted her bottom cheeks, while his middle finger slipped further and found her wet heat. Upon touching her heated flesh from the nub to her core, her legs buckled, her lips releasing his to let out a strangled moan. His other hand was on her ass still supporting her weight.

Their lips sought each other once more, but as much as he'd like to keep going as they are now, he had to consider her comfort. He withdrew his hands from her underwear, a disappointed whine sounded from Touka. Squeezing her ass again, he pulled her even closer to his body and hoisted her up, manipulating her legs to lock onto his torso.

He carried her to her room still engaged in their kiss, with Touka clawing at his clothes, trying to get them off but unsuccessful in her attempts. He laid her on the bed slowly, disengaging momentarily to take his shirt off, allowing her to take a steadying breath. She eyed his body with delight, happily pulling him down to her lips for another kiss, her fingers dragging from his chest to encircle her hands on his back, rubbing her palms firmly on the hard planes.

His hands slipped inside her shirt, pulling it up to take it off. They had to break the kiss to remove her top, as he did, he focused his lips elsewhere. He found the sweet spot on her neck, giving it another nibble, sucking on it after then soothing it with his tongue. The girl beneath him moaning and clawing at his back as he did so; the feel of her nails on her back made him groan.

He wanted her to feel more, trailing his kisses from her neck, down to the middle of her chest. His left hand was buried under her back, his right hand cupped her left breast, massaging in soft, firm strokes, while his warm tongue traced the underside of her other breast. One of her hands slipped in the soft white locks, while her other hand remained clutching to his back holding on to him, incoherent sounds springing forth from her lips.

She gasped as he sucked on her nipple, swirling his tongue around it and then releasing it. He did the same to the other one, replacing his hand. Unoccupied at the moment, his right hand glided from her left breast to her flat stomach, slipping under her panties and reaching her throbbing core. He used his ring and fore finger to part her warm folds and with the use of his middle finger, he traced the outline of her slit. From the sensitive clit, going around to circle her core.

"Ah!" Touka cried, as his finger dipped a little inside, gathering her moisture and spreading it all over her core. He focused his attention on her clitoris, lightly circling the little nub, and eventually adding a little more pressure on to it. He released his mouth from her left breast, and began nipping at the surrounding area of her nipple. He added a little force on his fingers, making her thighs clamp on his wrist, but he still continued to massage her nub, kept stimulating her nipple with his lips and tongue. Her mewls turned into pants, sounds barely coming out from her mouth until she gave out a keening moan. She trembled, and stars danced behind her closed eyelids, her body soaring high, until she gradually came down again.

Upon regaining her senses, she saw Kaneki in between her thighs, his hands on either side of her undies. He gave a little tug, and the flimsy piece of lace gave way, thrown aside and forgotten. If it wasn't one of the most arousing sights she's seen in her life, she'd probably decked his face again, but right now, she was too horny to care. She stiffened, surprised to see Kaneki lowering his face to her nether regions.

"W-what are you doing?" She asked shakily, panic in her eyes.

"What does it look like?" Came his rhetoric reply. "I did say I wanted to have a taste didn't I?" He actually had the gall to smirk.

Embarrassed, she grit her teeth, her hands fisting in the sheets. 'I'll wipe that smirk off your face soon enough,' she thought, Kaneki smiling at her defiant face.

"N-no!" Her protests soon died in her throat, as Kaneki pulled her thighs over his shoulder, wrapping his arms around each thigh. He turned his face to her left thigh, not breaking eye contact with her as he kissed the inside of her thigh. He loved the way her breath hitched, the way her body shook, awaiting his attention.

"There was a reason why I tried to avoid you..." He whispered against the sensitive skin on her inner thigh, sending helpless shivers down her spine. "Even after staying here for a bit," kiss, "...waiting for you," nip, and she stiffened. "I always make it a point to leave." Suckle, a moan in response. "Do you want to know why?" Another kiss, lower, closer to her heat than the previous one, and then he stopped.

Panting, she then realized he just asked her a question. "Yes," she answered breathlessly.

He turned his face to her right thigh this time, still not breaking eye contact with her. "I was always afraid,"he whispered while his lips were still attached to her skin, enjoying the way her body quivered when he did. "I was afraid that I won't be able to control this side of me..." he breathed, and planted a firm kiss on her inner thigh. Her legs twitched when he did.

"I thought I might scare you away. I'm not the shy, gentle kid you grew to love." he continued, his tongue peeking out to flick at her skin, shivers skating down her spine again and again with each caress.

He kissed his way lower, "I have always wanted you," he panted. "This time, I just couldn't stay away." Another lick on her heated skin, "not right after hearing the little voices you made in your room." This time he bit harder at the juncture of her thigh and crotch. Touka's back arched from the bed, a loud moan escaping her throat.

"Ah, Kaneki!" Loving the way his name sounded on her lips, his hot tongue dove right into her heat, tasting her heady arousal, making her moan louder. He thrust his tongue in and out of her repeatedly, reveling in the high-pitched mewls coming from her mouth. Taking his tongue out of her core, he kissed her lower lips fervently, like he did her mouth. He used his tongue to part her folds, the flat of his tongue rubbing on her clit driving her crazy. He used a finger to prod her entrance, slipping it in easily as he continued to plunder her clit with his tongue.

He added another finger into her core, pumping in and out. His mouth previously laving on her clit now sucked gently on that sweet little nub. Her high-pitched moans grew more frantic as he did so, he sucked a little harder, though not hard enough to hurt her and pumped his fingers in her a little faster. He can feel her coming apart in his hands, and continued his relentless torture until a silent scream fell from her lips- her body quivering like earlier. He timed his ministrations to the pulse in her core, helping her down from her second orgasm.

Her body went limp as he released her thighs from his hold, and set them down the mattress. While waiting for her to catch her breath, he pulled his pants down along with his underwear and settled his body in between her legs. He planted a chaste kiss on her exposed eye, still closed from exhaustion, feeling a little giddy himself from giving her pleasure.

With his knees under her thighs, he supported his weight on top of her, skimming his open hands along her sides. She reacted with a jolt, still sensitive everywhere after her climax. Kaneki continued to skim lazy patterns on her sides, this time going from the sides of her breasts, down to the sides of her thighs- as far as he could reach. Her breath grew rapid, soft cries were expelled after each exhalation.

Kaneki bent his head down and placed the flat of his tongue in the middle of her chest and licked his way up to the column of her throat. She moaned, her weak hands resuming their place on his back she admires. He left open-mouthed kisses from the base of her throat, going to the side of her neck and stopping at her left ear.

He licked her earlobe as he plunged himself inside her tight core in one smooth thrust and held still. She gave a cry of pleasure, followed by a wince of pain, her arms and legs tightening their hold on Kaneki's body. "Kaneki!" His name, a moan on her lips, he felt a warmth blossom from his chest. He groaned at the feel of her untried muscles doing their best to accommodate his girth.

"Touka," he breathlessly whispered at her ear. "I'm sorry. Does it still hurt?" His voice sounded strained, it was proving to be difficult to keep his hips from moving.

"No," Touka half-groaned, pain still etched on her lovely face. Her warm channel pulsing as she spoke, making it harder for Kaneki to resist. "Keep going, I'll be fine," she persisted.

He pressed himself harder against her making her wince, a groan slipped from him when her core tightened around his manhood. Wanting to alleviate her pain, he nuzzled against the right side of her neck, sliding his nose from behind her ear, to the base of her neck. His tongue peeked out to flick at the skin he found there, the slight sensation setting Touka's body aflame with a gasp.

Seeing that it helped, he placed an open-mouthed kiss on her neck, slightly sucking on the skin releasing it with a delicate sound. Her body twitched, a low moan in her throat as Kaneki continued to kiss and suckle on her neck. It was amazing to feel her body quiver, her warm channel pulsing in time with her body, her nails digging onto his back, sending shivers down his spine.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out a little, and then drove himself back inside. The delicious moan that came from her open mouth was his signal that she's distracted by the pleasure as much as he is. He pulled more of himself out this time, and pushed back in, repeating the motion, both of them panting, soft mewls joining in with his deep moans.

He pumped slowly, relishing the feel of her walls clamping down on his hardness. It was like every time he pulled out, her core literally sucked him back inside. He loved how uncontrollable sounds erupted from her, how her body relaxed and tensed with each roll of his hips.

Full, complete- that's how it feels like each time he pushes himself into her. It feels as if she can't get enough, her nails dug further on the skin on his back, a hiss escaping his gritted teeth. She's uneasy, restless as he drives into her, pulling him closer to her body for a kiss. Finally understanding what she wanted, Touka released his lips, trailing her hot breath on his cheek to his ear.

"More," she pants, and he completely understood what she meant, picking up the pace. Kaneki held on to her hips, pumping into her faster. Her soft mewls turning into keening moans, her breath puffing onto his cheek. He pushed into her with a little bit more force along with his pace, the intensity escalating with each thrust, rattling the bed beneath.

He can feel her body tense, the grip of her thighs on his hips grew tighter, the nails on his back dug deeper, most of all, her warm wet core seemed to constrict along with the rest of her body. The sensations were almost too much for her to bear, she can feel her body closing in, like a string being wound too taut.

"Kaneki..." his name came out as a needy moan. He can't help but slam his hips into her in a frenzy, to fulfill his lover's needs. That was enough for the string to snap, her body unraveling- her back arched, her mouth opened into a silent scream. The feeling of her body gripping him everywhere, sent him over the edge, his seed spilling inside her hot core, her name falling from his lips.

Exhaustion took over the two, as he pulled his member from her core with a hiss, and a whimper as her response. He let his body collapse on the bed, his right side against the sheets while he pulled her flushed body to his. Touka snuggled against him, aligning her body comfortably against his. With her head on his chest, her right palm over where his heart beat strongly, Kaneki used whatever limbs he could spare to cover their cooling bodies with the blanket.

Their eyes are closed but they're still awake, his right hand drawing lazy patterns on her skin, her fingers still drumming on his chest.

"You're wrong you know," Touka said quietly. Kaneki's head bent down to see her eyes still closed, a smile on her lips.

"About what?" He asked, with a small smile tugging on his lips as well.

"That you'd scare me away," this time she looked up from his chest, her blue eyes piercing him with raw emotion making his breath catch. "Just because you're a little different now, doesn't mean that your essence has gone, doesn't mean I'd love you any less." Her face grew hot and pink at the admission.

He was dumbstruck. He never thought she'd say it aloud like that. As far as he'd known Touka, she's not one to be blatantly honest about her feelings.

"Anyway," she continued, fighting off the embarrassment. "You're still the same deep down," she paused. "Your hair color might have changed, your exterior a little rough, but you're still the same nerd inside." She gave a little laugh at the statement, the smile on Kaneki's lips growing. "You still care about us- about me. You just have a different way of showing it now." She looked into his eyes as she said so. "I'm just a little sad that you didn't care enough to include me in your plans," she smiled, with unshed tears glistening in her exposed eye.

He pulled her closer in his arms, hugging her tightly and kissing the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry Touka," his throat sounded tight as he spoke. "I can't lose you," his voice caught on a sob, which he held back. "I know how much I hurt you. But the things I'm doing now, there's just too much at risk." He swallowed and started again, "I won't be able to give it my all if you're near me. I'll always be distracted." He kissed her chastely on her mouth, "Please understand how important you are to me, and please know that I crave for your presence whenever you're not with me."

"I understand, I'll be patient," she continued. "I'll wait for you, so please, come back to me." She whispered, fresh tears flowing from her eyes as she pushed against him for a kiss.

"I promise, I'll come back to you for sure. I love you too much to stay away."

He put his lips against hers, kissing her slowly, sweetly this time until they both had to break away for air. Their foreheads touching, another chaste kiss, and then resumed their position snuggling on the bed. This time, Kaneki combed his fingers through her hair, with Touka tracing her fingers on his chest languidly until they both fell asleep, perhaps the most relaxing, since the innocent days of childhood.

When she woke up, he was already gone, his scent still lingered in the air and on her bed. With a smile on her lips, she snuggled into the warm sheets, happy to know that her feelings were at least reciprocated.

At school, Yoriko couldn't help but notice that Touka looked a bit happier today.

"Did something good happen?" Yoriko asked.

Touka couldn't control the blush that spread on her cheeks. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing," her friend replied a little too quickly, a nervous laugh making its way out.

Touka looked at her suspiciously then. "You're hiding something," she said as she sat closer to Yoriko. "What is it?"

Uneasy, and a bit guilty, Yoriko confessed. "Well," she gulped. "You remember the time you asked me about your apartment key?"

Touka looked like she had a light bulb moment. "You didn't!" She gasped, her exposed eye widening.

Yoriko continued, telling her about the time when Kaneki waited for her after school and asked her to come with him to get the another copy made of the duplicate key, which she agreed to.

"Why did you agree to that?" Touka asked bewildered.

"Because I knew you liked him, and I thought you wouldn't have minded if you if he paid you a surprise visit."

The dark-haired girl sighed, "You didn't think he might have tried to kill or rape me or something?" She asked Yoriko sardonically.

"No," she replied with a snicker. "He didn't give off the vibe that he was dangerous.

'Oh, Yoriko. If only you knew,' Touka thought.

"Besides, I also don't think you would have minded even if he made an advance. That's the reason why you're so happy right now, isn't it?"

The full-blown blush on Touka's face was her answer.

"I thought so!" Yoriko pointed at her face and laughed wholeheartedly.

Touka was a bit exasperated at first, but eventually lightened up and laughed with her. She thanked Yoriko after they were able to calm down. If not for her agreeing to the whole thing, the wonderful things that happened last night might not have occurred.

She wouldn't have known however, that that would have been the last time she saw Kaneki again- wouldn't have known that he'd turn into another person. After years of waiting, she almost couldn't believe he was here, in the coffee shop.

There was no doubt, the white hair, although streaked with black, and his gentle face- this was Kaneki. He grew taller, his frame wider under the coat he was wearing. She paused, to look at him, and got a little sad as she saw herself reflected his eyes. Sad because confusion was there, instead of the love she saw from that one night.

He doesn't remember.

She heard rumors that he was still alive, but she didn't believe that he lost his memories. "Please," she forced herself to smile. "Have a seat." She gestured for her customers to a table and took their orders.

She got their orders delivered quickly, and stood by the bar, watching Kaneki longingly with his new friends, as they sipped on the concoction, appreciating the taste. Her heart shook as she saw tears in his eyes, crying after he took a sip of the coffee, recognizing the recipe Yoshimura passed down to them. A single tear slipped from her exposed eye as she looked on.

His mind cannot remember, but some part of him still does.

"Sassan, that's too much!" His companion with the strange hair and even stranger set of teeth exclaimed. "Is this some new kind of joke?!"

Smiling to herself, she quickly dabbed at the tear streak from her face and walked to his table. "Here you go," she said in the gentlest voice she could muster and offered him her handkerchief.

"Ah, I'm sorry," he said as he took the handkerchief from her hand and used it to wipe at his eyes; the scent from the little piece of cloth was warm and very comforting. "It's delicious..." he paused, referring to the cup of coffee. "It really is." He said, his voice a bit shaky. He couldn't understand why he was having this reaction.

He looked at her then, a sad but beautiful knowing smile on her face. "Thank you very much," she had replied and bowed politely, he can't help but feel a stab of regret as he saw her walk away, back to tending the bar.

The others might have thought he was being strange, so he went back to drinking from his cup. He couldn't seem to shake off the daze he was in. He finished his cup, the feeling of getting another one not far from his mind, but there were things they needed to do today. He could always come back some other time.

Touka bade them goodbye when their group left, Kaneki's gaze lingered on her a second later than what's considered to be proper. A stupid grin was left on her face as she cleaned up the table along with the cups.

"He's back," Yomo's voice cut through the silent air around them. "Although he doesn't seem to remember us."

"Maybe not, but there's still a chance that he will, judging from the way he reacted to our usual coffee blend," she looked at Yomo then, a smile still plastered on her face. "I want to be here until then. He'll come back to us for sure. I have faith in him," she paused. "That's what I said before right?"

He just gave her a nod as his response. Walking over to where she was to help her with the cleaning.

"Maybe it won't be as sad a story this time."

Author's Notes : I had wanted to just end it where they slept, and maybe finish it off with a bit of humor like I always do with my one-shots. But it felt so insufficient to just stop there.

I had also wanted to finish it with the lingering sadness by just ending it with the first time Haise and Touka clapped eyes on each other. But I thought that would have been too sad. I tried to make it a bit hopeful this time. I still feel a bit sad about the way things are, so much regret. I hope the Ishida Sui comes up with a happy ending favorable to TouKen shippers everywhere!

I read this three times, correcting here and there. I might have left a few holes in it still, I'm sorry about that if ever. :D

You know, I never noticed Touka use Kaneki's first name. Am I wrong? XD