I Know What You're Feeling, Cause' I Feel It As Well

Stay

"We are so not going to a bookstore next time" Hide said, taking a sip from his coffee.
That's how Kaneki and Hide spent most of their day. At a bookstore first because Kaneki couldn't resist reading a new book everyday, and Hide frankly got used to it, although he did get bored of how Kaneki explained the whole story of every damn book he read but, it was adorable.
The next few hours would usually be spent at Anteiku, drinking coffee and just talking and it was so calming.
"Yes yes, sorry" replied Kaneki, as he closed the book he was reading. Hide smiled.
Both of them finished their coffee and just chatted away about stuff in school and what movie they should watch next.
"Wow, it's already 7" said Hide, looking at the clock on the wall.
"Oh yeah, we should probably leave" Kaneki said, getting up and walking towards the counter.
"There you go" said Hide, placing the money for the coffee on the desk.
"Thank you" said Touka. Hide just winked at her and walked out of Anteiku with Kaneki.
Kaneki put his hands in his pockets and Hide rested the back of his head in his palms. His fingers were interlaced with each other behind his head.
It was dark outside, hints of purple in the inky sky.
They walked and talked for a few more minutes before reaching Kaneki's house.
"Okay, see you tomorrow, then?" Hide said.
Kaneki smiled softly, "Yeah, okay"
Hide clicked his tongue and waved at Kaneki.
They parted ways but only a few seconds later there was a loud thunder.
And another one.
Kaneki shuddered.
He was scared of lightning.
Hide didn't take notice of this and continued walking. Another. Kaneki shook and made a faint gasp, bending down.
Hide turned back.
"K-Kaneki?" He said and walked towards him.
"Kane-" he said as he turned Kaneki around only to see tears trickling down his pale skin.
"Hide" Kaneki whispered.
There was yet another loud thunder.
Kaneki shut his eyes and pulled Hide by his jacket's lapels and buried his head in Hide's chest.
Hide was flushed. He didn't know how to react to that. But he slowly started bringing his arms up to wrap them comfortably around Kaneki.
"I-It's okay, now, Kaneki" he said, hugging him tighter.
"You're okay" he whispered.
Kaneki sniffed and said, "Thank you, H-Hide"
Hide slowly pulled back from the hug and placed a hand on Kaneki's cheek.
"Let's go home now, Kaneki?" He said.
Kaneki's eyes widened a bit.
"But, your parents-"
"It'll be okay, I can't let you stay alone today. Not like this, no." Hide said.
Kaneki smiled again, "Hide.." he looked up at him, "Thank you. Let's go home"

They started walking and at some point, Kaneki slowly slid his hand and joined them with Hide's, interlacing them together. They were finally inside Kaneki's darkened house and then in his room. Unknowingly, they were still holding hands. Hide slowly separated them and sat down on Kaneki's bed with him.
He turned Kaneki towards himself.
"Are you..okay now?" He asked.
Kaneki lifted a hand to wipe a tear that was streaming down his cheek.
"Yeah, I am" he said.
"Ah, that's a relief" Hide said and jumped off the bed.
"Now, let's make us something to eat, shall we?" He said to himself before jogging to the kitchen.
Hide hummed a tune he had heard on the radio and opened the fridge. It was empty. Just bits of potatoes and two cans of noodles. His eyes widened. Kaneki hadn't been eating. For a long time, judging by the dust around the potatoes.
Kaneki, what is it? Please take care of yourself, I can't handle anything happening to you. he thought.
After a moment, he grabbed the cans of noodles. He checked the expiration date and started with his cooking, which frankly Kaneki didn't trust, but a can of noodles would do.
Minutes later, Hide entered Kaneki's room with a tray of two bowls of hot noodles.
"Dinner's rea-" he said, looking at the bed to see Kaneki sleeping peacefully.
He smiled and covered the bowls with the tray and walked towards an asleep Kaneki.
Dammit, he looks so cute! he thought and sat down.
"Alright now, Ken, good night" he said, running a hand through Kaneki's hair. He didn't move, just stayed like that for a second before leaning in to kiss his forehead.
He got up and started walking towards the door but was stopped by a tug at his shirt.
"Hi-de" whispered Kaneki, looking up at him like a lost puppy, "Stay." Hide was red, yet again.
But there's only one bed! He thought, Does he mean..
His thoughts were interrupted by Kaneki who moved aside and patted the area next to him on the bed.
What! his eyes widened, but he made up his mind a second later.
He slowly lied down next to Kaneki who turned Hide towards himself and hugged him. Hide hugged back.
"Goodnight, Hide" he said.
"Goodnight, Kaneki..I love you" Hide stuttered, his face red.
Kaneki looked at Hide with half opened eyes and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Hide was waiting for a reply but after seeing Kaneki fall asleep so peacefully he just smiled and let his eyes fall close slowly.

The next day Hide woke up to an empty bed. He instantly felt a knot in his stomach. Did Kaneki leave already?
"Morning, Hide" he was relieved to hear Kaneki's voice.
Kaneki was in the same clothes. He had a tray of the noodles they were supposed to eat the other night and two cups of coffee.
"Uh, morning Ka-neki" he said, confused, taking his breakfast on his lap.
"I'm sorry I fell asleep, you had to sleep on an empty stomach" Kaneki said, taking a seat next to Hide and a sip from his not-so-hot coffee.
"No, Kaneki, listen. I know you haven't been eating a lot. Please, Kaneki, you need to eat" Hide said in one go.
Kaneki looked at him. "Yeah, I just haven't had the appetite, recently. Listening to stuff about binge eaters and stuff, you know. But, I will, I promise" said Kaneki, looking down at his coffee and then to Hide. Hide gave him a warm smile.

Both of them were done eating and Hide was about to leave.
He was leaning against the door of Kaneki's room and admired the black haired boy who was changing into different clothes.
Once he was done, he walked towards Hide, he almost got out of the room when, "Oh, and Hide?"
"Hm?"
Kaneki placed his hands on Hide's cheeks and leaned in to slowly kiss him on the lips. Hide's heart was pounding.
Kaneki pulled back a second later.
"I love you, too" he smiled.
"Kaneki.." Hide muttered and pulled Kaneki in for a slightly longer kiss.
Kaneki sighed and wrapped his arms around Hide. He gently pulled on Kaneki's lips with his own.
Moments later, he pulled back from the kiss, only to hug Kaneki, who hugged back.
He rested his head on Kaneki's shoulder.
"Kaneki, thank you"