Ay ay ay, that last chapter was long. *had been looking at where the last plot part ended to see if I should split the content into three chapters (one barely started) or into two (one almost finished)*

Hide hummed, his footsteps padding across the floor.

I hadn't left his apartment since that night. Not that.. I'd dare to anyway..

Hide hadn't threatened me with the tranquilizer since, but.. I really didn't want to take the chance..

"Okay. Bye, Kaneki, I'll be back soon!" the door creaked closed. I peeked out of my blanket. The table was completely cleared off, except for a burger Hide'd left for me. I creeped off the couch, flipping the switch off, and I settled into the chair. I started eating.

-------------------------------

Kaneki was sleeping on the couch when I came home. I smiled softly at the sight.

He seemed to be sleeping peacefully, drool sipping out of his mouth.

Luckily, Kaneki hadn't left me alone this time.. so I could just focus on my work.

I brushed a few strands out of his forehead fondly.

I'm finished with one way out. Which is great. I can't wait to show him..

And now, now maybe he won't ever want to leave me.. He'll be able to live peacefully..

I wonder if I should chase the other ways out.. or if I should just focus on Aogiri..

Eh, I should probably focus on Aogiri.. I can still try to create other ways out, but for now, one way is good enough. I need to focus on Aogiri, and then I can focus on the CCG, and then Kaneki won't have to worry anymore.. After that, I can focus on the other ways out. That way, he and other ghouls like him can choose what way they prefer.

"Don't worry, Kaneki.." I leaned over to murmur into his ear, "I'm SO close. Operation 2 has already succeeded, so I'm already onto Operation 3.. It'll only be a little bit longer before you can live peacefully again with no worries.. I promise to work my hardest. It shouldn't be too long before I'm finished.."

I pushed my fingers through his hair and went to my own room, wishing him sweet dreams.

Ken's P.O.V.

As Hide's feet padded away, I slowly opened my eyes.

I can't believe how easily I can wake up now, but.. waking up from the slightest touch has just become an advantage.

Operations.. ka?

What was Operation 1? When did he finish it? What about Operation 2, what is that? And what's Operation 3? Are there more operations? What is Hide working so hard towards..?

I rolled over onto my back, staring at the ceiling.

So Hide's got steps.. Two of which he's already finished with.. One of which he's starting on.. Possibly more that he hasn't started on..

After a few minutes of rolling the information around in my brain, I heard Hide's footsteps walking closer, so I shut my eyes instantly. He hummed as he entered the room, turning on the lights. His footsteps walked around, and I heard the refrigerator being opened. He messed around for a little while longer before he finally settled at the table. I heard subtle eating.

I risked it and peeked up. Hide was eating some instant ramen at the table happily. He was in his pajamas. Oh, he must've been getting ready for bed.. I'm not sure why he's just now eating dinner(?), but..

"Something wrong?"

"!" I was startled. I looked up at Hide's face. He was smiling fondly over at me, cheek placed on his palm.

"Are you hungry?"

"..n-no.." I rubbed my chin.

"Do you want to eat with me, Kaneki?"

"...u-um.. that isn't.. one of your.. disguised meals, is it..?" I warily asked. I knew it was stupid, Hide couldn't possibly be a ghoul (he doesn't even smell like it!), but with all these disguised meals lately..

He laughed, "No, silly. It's simple, normal, instant ramen, straight from the store. I haven't messed around with it." I stayed quiet for a bit before nodding slowly. "Come on, Kaneki, sit up here," he patted the table, "I want to show you something."

"..." Reluctantly, I got up and walked over. I sat across from Hide, and he rummaged in a bag beside him.

"Jaaaan!" he pulled out a syringe. I immediately jerked back, fearful.

Wh-Why is he getting that out? I haven't pi**ed him off, have I? What'd I do?

He chuckled slightly, "Relax, Kaneki. It won't hurt you. This one isn't full of tranquilizers or RC Suppressants."

"..? Th-Then what does it.. have?"

"You know how I've been working really hard on everything?" Hide set the syringe on the table and leaned his cheek upon his palm. I nodded stiffly. "Well, I succeeded with Step 2! You won't have to eat those disguised burgers anymore, Kaneki, but you can if you want to," He stood up and walked over to the fridge, getting a bag out. He put the contents on a plate and put it in the microwave.

"..?"

"It's a quinque syringe, so you can inject it anywhere. I've been messing around with it, and it would seem it works best if you inject it somewhere along the digestive system, like the throat or stomach. If you inject it somewhere else, like the arm, it'll set to work later, and it won't last as long."

"..Wh-what is it..? What does it do..?"

"You don't have to eat human or ghoul meat anymore, Kaneki. You can eat normal human food now."

"..? Why do you keep saying that..? Hide, I'm a ghoul.. I'll never.. I'll never be able to eat normally ever again.."

"Not true! I've been working really hard towards this, Kaneki, and I finally made a way. Come on, try it."

"..?"

Try.. it..?

"Are you saying.. the syringe'll.. make me able to eat.. normal human food..?"

"Yep! I already tried it out on a random ghoul, so don't worry. All the kinks are worked out. Shouldn't have any side effects, unless it's a late effect, such as, shortening your life by a small amount. But it shouldn't do that. Come on, try it! I want to see you happily eating human food again, Kaneki."

"..."

Hide.. did this for me..?

I glanced at the syringe.

Hide has tranquilizers. He has RC Suppressants. He has quinque shots. He has quinque knives.

I have no idea how he attained any of those, but.. it's possible that.. it might hurt me? I don't know what Hide's been planning or what he's been up to..

"Come on, Kaneki, try it already. I've been working so hard to make this surprise for you.."

"..."

The microwave started beeping.

I feel horrible doubting my best friend, but..

I took a deep breath, "I-In my throat, right?"

"Yep."

I brought the syringe up to my throat, gulping. I pressed it against my skin, and it sunk it easily. I cringed at the sting, but I injected the liquid anyway.

Hide stood up and got the plate out of the microwave, setting it in front of me, "Pure, normal human burger. I got it at Big Girl a little while ago for you. It's not disguised or anything. If you don't believe me, the box is over there," Hide pointed to the counter as I lifted the burger. True to his word, the box said 'Big Girl', and so did the bag he'd taken the box out of. I gulped.

Well.. it's either me eating this peacefully, or I'll be barfing all over the table again..

Urh.

I brought the burger up to my nose and sniffed it. It smelled fine..

Almost like.. Almost like..

How a normal burger used to smell to me.

Hide settled in across from me, smiling. "Come on, buddy, try it. The injection'll wear off soon."

"I-it's not human meat.."

"Of course it's not."

"It's not disguised. But.. but it smells good.. and I.. and.. it's almost like how a bu-burger used to smell, and-"

"Kaneki," Hide sat up, lifting his head from his palm with a serious expression on his face, "Hurry up. I'm serious - the injection'll wear off soon. Stop babbling- you can relish in joy later."

"R-Right.."

I gulped once more and pressed my mouth up to the burger. I felt tears stream my cheeks. I bit off a chunk and ate it contently.

"I-It's good.. It's really good.."

Hide grinned, "I'm glad. I've worked hard towards this, you know. And I made sure to try it on multiple random ghouls before I tried it on you - to make sure it wasn't just that specific ghoul that reacted to the injection swimmingly. Unless it's a special case, that injection should work on any and all ghouls. I don't know what it does to humans, but I'm not interested in finding out either."

Hide explained more about the injection, and soon I was licking my fingers.

"Th-Thank you, Hide.."

"Of course. So," he stood up, "I'm going to take the injection to a few places tomorrow. I won't be coming home until late." He grabbed our plates and walked over to the sink, starting to wash them, "Try not to miss me too much, okay?"

"Does that mean you're only going out once?"

He grinned back at me, "Yup. 'Cause I got a lot to do tomorrow. I want to keep with my regular routine, so I'm using up my time here to spread the word of the injection. I might even leave early, honestly."

"Good luck."

"Yeah. ...nee, Kaneki."

"?"

He set the dishes on the other side and turned to me, a very serious expression on his face.

"If.. If by chance.. I don't come back, I don't want you to worry, okay?"

"Huh? Hide, what are you-"

"Here's the recipe for that injection, so you don't have to rely on me for that. If I don't come home tomorrow night, make sure you spread it in my place."

"Hi-Hide, yo-wha- Hide!!"

"What?"

"..!" I sniffled slightly, "You.. You make it sound.. li-like I'll never.. see you again..!"

"Hopefully, if I don't come home after tomorrow night, you never will."

"Huh?!!"

"Kaneki. Don't you understand? The work I've been doing for you is dangerous. And I plan on giving the injection to the CCG, and explaining my own views. If I can't convince them, I'll be seen as a traitor and locked up. Which would mean, if I ever saw you again, if I don't come home by tomorrow night, it'd probably be in a jail. Which would mean you were caught. Which would not be good.

"I want the best for you, Kaneki, and I would risk everything if it meant you were happy. I'm risking my own freedom to try and make the world a place where humans and ghouls can live in peace - even if they know the other person's nature. Oh, but, don't worry, if I'm locked up, I won't give any information up. They can turn me into a ghoul; they can torture me; they can rape me; they can do anything they wish, but I won't give up my friends. I'm loyal to you, Kaneki," he cupped my cheek, rubbing it slightly.

"Hide.. why? Why would you go so far for me?"

He glanced away for a short second, as if contemplating whether to tell me, but just as quick, his eyes were right back to staring into my soul, "Because I love you, Kaneki. I always have."

I think I lost my lungs. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. Where is the air?

"Y..You..You expect to..to possibly.. l-leave me.. after saying that? Hide?"

"..I'm sorry. But you asked me. So I told you. I love you, Kaneki. All I want is for you to be happy. If you're happy, even if I'm locked up or dead, then that's enough for me." {You guys have a lot of suspense. But you have no idea how much suspense the writers have. I just reread this part, and I screamed in my mind, yelling NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! while simultaneously shouting 'IT ENDS THERE?!!!!!!' in my mind. Now, think about it. Every time you continue your story or every time a chapter ends with no new update? So yea. Anyway, let me resume this story.}

I stared in shock. Hide stared at me for a few more seconds before assuming I wasn't going to respond in any way, so he went about his normal routine. He disappeared behind his room. I processed his words.

He.. He just told me.. he.. he.. My best friend loves me?!!

How am I supposed to deal with this?!!

AND OH MY G*D, I'VE BEEN LIVING WITH HIM FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS!!!

I shrunk into myself.

I can't believe this.. My best friend of how long just now confessed.. that.. that he.. that he's loved me all this time.. I.. I can't..

._.

Wait.

THAT ISN'T EVEN THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE!! HE'S ABOUT TO WILLINGLY LOCK HIMSELF UP OVER ME!!

"Hide!!" I shouted, rushing into Hide's bedroom. His wide, bright eyes looked up at me, mildly surprised.

I stopped where I was.

As if my face wasn't red enough.. it certainly is now.

I think I fainted.

{... I want to end it here.. I want to.. but that'd be too suspe-I DON'T CARE! I'M ENDING IT HERE!}