Feast ~Kaneki x Reader AU~

Then I see him.

A head full of brilliant white hair. Eyes a stunning and glimmering gray. Skin soft and smooth ivory. Clothes as black as night, that same mask hanging around his neck.

Ken Kaneki.

I stand without thought, my limbs numb. Luckily, I managed to place the cup on the table beforehand, otherwise, it would have tumbled to the floor. But whether it had or hadn't, I doubt I would care because my concentration is trained on Kaneki, fixated on him.

His hair is shaggy and messy - windblown, by the looks of it, but other than that, he is the same. The same sad look on his face. The same quiet, yet noisy eyes. The same familiar man I've seen before.

"You're okay," I say, my voice cracking and shaking. Wavering, really. Wavering and growing croaky, a wave of tears threatening to spill as a lump takes shape in my throat. "You're really okay."

Kaneki looks at me, his eyes widening upon hearing my words, the light suddenly returning to those hollow pools. "Y/n -"

He begins, but I cut him off, dashing to him, throwing my arms around him. I pull him into a tight hug, feeling his body heat radiating against me through our clothes. And it's as I stand here, hugging him that I feel it.

The tears rolling down my cheeks.

All this time, I had no idea how much I worried. How much I worried about whether or not if he was alive. How much I worried about where he was. How much I worried about whether or not if he was just okay. But I was worried. I was so damn worried, but now, feeling him, holding him, I know he's okay. I know he's alright. I know he's alive.

He tenses, then, without prying me off him, he turns to Mako, saying, "I'm sorry, Mako, but could you...?"

"No worries. I'll give you two some privacy."

I listen, hearing Mako's footsteps growing further and further until there is the opening and closing of the door, a small click signaling that Mako is gone. And left behind is just Kaneki and me. Me and Kaneki.

"Y/N? Y/N, are you okay?" He asks, gingerly pulling away from me. He leans closer to me, his palms resting on my shoulders. He scans me, those gray irises bouncing across my face. "You're crying. Why are you crying? Are you hurt?"

I quickly begin to swipe away some of the tears, shaking my head. "No. No, I'm fine. I'm not hurt. I'm just...I'm just happy to see that you're alright."

His expression shifts from one of fear and morphs to a small smile. "After all this time, you were worried about me?" One of his hands raises, his finger gently wiping one of my stray tears away. "I can say the same, though. I'm so relieved."

I chuckle, "I guess that makes two of us."

For a moment, standing here like this, everything feels alright. Everything is alright. He's alright. I'm alright. The world is turning, spinning in this splendid pool of...alright-ness.

But that happiness is short-lived, the remembrance of how serious and severe my escape from Aogiri Tree is. And I know that I am not as safe as I'd like to be.

My body goes tense, the muscles tightening as I begin to frantically glimpse around the room. There is a single window, but no balcony so, no balcony door. However, someone could still worm their way in through the window if they were driven and dedicated enough to. Which is an uneasy thought. Images of Tatara or Eto creeping through that window fills my mind and I shudder.

"Y/N? What's wrong?" Kaneki asks concern drifting in his tone.

I pull away, still searching the room. "Aogiri Tree. Once they realize I'm gone, they'll come for me." I turn, looking at him with eyes wide. "They'll kill me, Kaneki. They will kill me."