A New Battle

Roses

Touka is wrapped in a blanket, sipping a cup of decaf coffee. The TV is playing some stupid movie were everything works out in the end. The sun had set hours ago, and the tears had finally dried on her cheeks. 

She stared at her now cold cup of coffee. 

'How could I do this to him?' She thought. 'He's trying his best to get better and I slap him because he's not recovering fast enough?' She tilted her head back to keep the tears from coming again. 'I guess some things never change. Kaneki deserves better.'

A soft knock comes at the door. 

'It must be Yoriko. She's been gone for hours.'

She carries the blanket around her shoulders as she answers the door. The December air freezes her skin; She tugs the blanket closer to her body.

Yomo, Yoriko, and Ken are standing before her all dressed in.... Anteiku uniforms. 

Yomo was holding a pot of freshly brewed coffee. The aroma sent her back to the cafe; the warmth and safety that it always provided.

Yoriko was holding an overflowing bowl of brown 'sugar' cubes.

Ken's hair was black, which just made the scars on his cheeks and neck seem more profound. In his hands were a dozen white roses.

"No time, nor distance can ever make me stop loving you.I have made so many mistakes, and I know I will make hundreds more. But I don't want any of my mistakes to be keeping secrets from you." He took a step closer. "You are my everything."

Touka took the roses handed to her. The blanket dropped from her shoulders as she wrapped her arms around her husband and buried her face in his shoulder. 

She feels an apology about to leave her tongue-- but knew they had offered enough amends.

"I love you." He held her closer.

*"The coffees getting cold." Yoriko interrupted.

Ken held Touka bridal style and carried her into Yoriko's home.

The three of them drank the coffee, and made fun of Ken's wig. 

It was like the old times... but better.