"Uta-san, did you get any costumers today?"-
The half ghoul politely asked while watching Uta getting a few things from his working desk; scattering around on his art materials.
Kaneki decided to pay Uta a visit since it was his day off; sitting on the stool he once was when Uta took his head measurements.
"Well, there weren't many costumers on this day, unfortunately. But I managed to get at least a few. One guy wanted another piercing on the tongue and this young lady just wanted me to fix a bad tattoo on her right breast. But yeah, nothing that much to work over here."-
The one eyed ghoul nodded after listening to Uta. It has been a few weeks since they didn't have the chance to hang around together. Of course, with the precaution of the ghoul investigators roaming around the area.
Some days had been very dangerous to go out, and Uta sometimes would be very busy on his workshop while being cautious when the investigators would come unannounced. He had to wear sunglasses to cover his kakugan, and if they got suspicious for the eyes, he would casually say it's an eye tattoo that has been a quite popular trend on body modifications.
But today, it was a perfect day to come over to his workplace. Not many costumers to interrupt them, no investigators barging in. Just a nice day.
"It must be very difficult to keep up some things around here, Uta-san."- Kaneki said a little concerned for the ghoul. Just staring at how he put everything back to its original place.
"Can't complain, but it does get quite boring all by myself so I always enjoy your company, Kaneki-kun."- Uta said with a reassuring voice. Kaneki's lips curved in a small smile as he heard that his presence didn't bothered him at all. It made him feel better, since he always felt like an annoyance to others. Things for him have been very different on his life ever since he became a half ghoul. But still, he didn't let that define him as who he was after all the hell he's been through. His compassion was still with him.
As soon as he finished putting everything away from his working desk, Uta turns around, giving a small smile.
Kaneki adverted his eyes as Uta walked towards his direction. He grabs a stool, sitting next to the boy who was looking down on the floor awkwardly, not saying a word. But then his expression changed to a rather sad one.
'You must've been through a lot, Kaneki-kun...' Uta thought to himself as he looked at the half ghoul in such a state. Not only he was concerned but also afraid to lose him completely. Unlike the rest of the ghouls, Kaneki was an interesting kid. He has a good taste in literature, he loved to be around at Anteiku with his friends, always with a warm smile on his face. But now, this is a different side of the story to this character. It's not the Kaneki he knew once, but a stronger one of course. It won't be an easy task to get used to this new personality. Unless if the boy was still himself like when he first met him.
"Kaneki-kun,"- Uta began to say as he gave a small pause to his sentence. He thought of all the horrible things they did to him. All those things he had to watch, all those innocent people he couldn't save. Just everything he had been through that somehow managed to not drown in madness, especially the loss of his dear friend back at Anteiku.
"I know things have turned into very unexpected ways. Things that you didn't wanted to be..."
-He proceeds to put a hand on his shoulder as the boy was surprised, looking at him in the eyes. "But I am glad that you are staying true to yourself and not letting those types of situations break you."
"Uta...san."- Kaneki blinked in surprise at the words from the tattooed ghoul. Oh yes, all the things that happened to him was like small fragments of memories flashing on his head. All those times he wished to take his own life instead of many he cherished.
Among those people was his mother, the ones who tried to rescue him when he was tortured by Jason, even his best friend, Hide. His life was nothing, meaningless, not worth living for. He was an empty shell floating on the dark waters. He felt like a lifeless doll wishing to be burned to ashes. The guilt was unbearable as all he wanted is to find peace for himself. But that was just too much to ask, right?
At least he was thankful that Uta understood the position he was in. Not only it isn't easy to comprehend, but somehow Uta made him realize that he had his humanity left.
The older ghoul then proceeds to speak to the boy.
"You will learn new things in this strange life Kaneki-kun. The life of a ghoul can be very cruel in the society we live upon. Some choose to blend in, others seeking to be heard. It's all up to you to decide what to do as a half ghoul and half human. Keep in mind, the choices you make will affect those who are close to you."
"That's why..."- Uta gets closer to the boy as he wraps his arms around to a warm embrace.
"You have to be prepared for the worse."- Uta's left hand was stroking Kaneki's head, feeling the smooth hair as white as the snow; like the cold shivering winter. Thinking how can someone be that cruel by trying to break an innocent kid that did nothing wrong and had to pay the price.
'He grew stronger, that's for sure. But something within him is no longer there. Hmm, I wonder...' Uta thought to himself. Kaneki's sweet aroma was still there, just like how he remembered when they met for the first time. The smell of the female ghoul mixed with human flesh was like tasting a rare forbidden fruit. Guessing some things hasn't changed after all.
Kaneki's eyes blinked in surprise once more as his lips had parted. The half ghoul's cheeks had reddened by the feel of his body against his. "Uta-san." His warm body was amazingly good. It had felt like eternity to feel something like this.
Kaneki was still amazed by his actions. He thought that Uta wasn't the type of ghoul to share affection with others. He always thought that a ghouls intentions was to only eat in order to survive and nothing else mattered to them. Of course, now he understood better a ghouls daily life from others. Not all ghouls were like that, but he never thought of Uta being one of them. Then again, Uta's thoughts and feelings sometimes can be unpredictable.
"I actually missed you being around here with me."- Uta calmly said in a soft tone. "It's not the same when you're not around. The silence can sometimes be so uncomfortable."- Kaneki doesn't know but he is his muse. His inspiration when it comes to creating another mask or a rough sketch. He waited for him to return and now he's here, stronger, but alive.
The white haired boy's eyes glowed brightly as he faced up to see him. "Really? I always thought that you were okay all by yourself. You seemed very concentrated when you work on a new mask or attending to costumers, so I thought that you didn't needed any company."- Kaneki said as the older ghoul found the way he said it was adorable.
'Why are you so cute, Kaneki-kun? ' He thought to himself. Uta felt like his heart would melt at this rate. He grabbed his chin as the boy felt his cheeks warm up when both eyes met. The older ghoul gives a smile as he spoke in a low tone.
"I don't mind being accompanied if it's you, Kaneki-kun."- And with that, the tattooed male plant a sweet kiss on the half ghoul's lips. The kiss went more passionate when a few minutes passed, they both broke their tender kiss as the young half ghoul needed some air, already a blushing mess.
Uta chuckled under his breath, enjoying the expression Kaneki was making. It was quite amusing to see the half ghoul be in a vulnerable state. 'Very cute indeed.' the older ghoul thought to himself. He grabbed his hand as they both got out of the stools now taking the boy to his place.
"Uta-san, where are we going?"- Kaneki asked a little uneasy for not knowing where he was being taken.
"Don't worry, we will have some fun together."- Uta said as they left the shop.
Maybe he could finally find some peace to himself that he craved deeply on this cruel world.
♛
