A Twisted World

Then

"Is he always like that?" I ask as we walk side by side.

"Hide? Yeah, pretty much.." Kaneki answers. "He means well.."

"Uh huh.." I mumble under my breath as we approach the headquarters.

"It was nice seeing him.." Kaneki continues.

A pang hits my heart as I think of Lexi..

Lexi..

I haven't seen her in so long..

Feeling guilty, I fiddle with my shirt hem.

"Are you alright?" Kaneki asks as he eyes me from the corner of his eye.

"Hmm? Oh.. Yeah.." I say.

His eyebrows furrow together, but he doesn't press on.

His soft hand gently slides into my own, his grip gentle yet firm.

"I love you." He says seriously as he turns to face me.

"I love you, too." I smile.

He bends down and kisses the top of my head.

He slowly wraps his arms around my waist as he leaves his lips to linger.

"Ka-ne-ki.." I whine as I wiggle about.

"Hmm?" His warm breath flows against my hairline sends shivers down my spine.

"We're in public.." I point out.

"So? This is the sleazy part of Tokyo.. No one will give us a second glance." Kaneki says seductively as he leans his cheek next to where his lips had been.

"We need to go!" I snap.

"Why?" Kaneki pouts.

"Kirishima Ayato ring any bells?" I say as I slip away from his warm embrace.

Kaneki sighs as he brushes his hair out of his eyes.

"Even when he's not here, he still manages to ruin the mood." He growls.

I chuckle and pull him towards the headquarters.

"It's his specialty." I smirk.

************

"Kaneki!" Ayato growls angrily as we step in.

"Good to see you, too." Kaneki chuckles ruefully.

"I had to do a mission by myself." He hisses.

"You didn't want to work with Naki?" Kaneki grins playfully.

"You're an asshole, you know that right?" Ayato says angrily.

"I learned from the best." Kaneki says dramatically as he walks past him.

Ayato pinches the bridge of his nose before glancing over at me.

"Hey." He says apathetically.

"Hey." I say back as I run after Kaneki.

************

"You two have a mission together." Tatara says emotionlessly as he hands us a packet.

"Thanks." I smile up at his bored eyes.

Kaneki grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room.

"Hmm.." He hums as he opens the folder.

"What is it?" I ask curiously as I stand on my tiptoes to see.

"Some nut job has been arranging his victims to look like scenes from popular movies.." He reads.

"Are you serious?" I ask as he hands me the file.

"We're supposed to go tonight." Kaneki says.

"What's the catch?" I ask as I eye him suspiciously.

Kaneki smirks and begins to tug me towards Etos room.

"You'll see.."