Work Text
Kaneki came home late from work tonight, he walked inside and set the takeout box on the coffee table in the livingroom."Touka, sweetheart, I'm home."Kaneki called quietly, walking towards their room, Touka was sitting on the bed, next to a sleeping Ichika, Touka looked up from her book and smiled at him."Hey Stranger. Where you been?"Kaneki sat next to her, caressing Ichiko's hair with a smile, she looked so peaceful."Work was stressful tonight, I had to get a lot of paper work done. My co-workers have been slacking off a lot lately."Touka groaned quietly"i told you, you can fire them and get better ones! Your to nice for your own good Kaneki."Kaneki knew she didn't mean it maliciously. So he smiled and said"Everyone deserves a chance."Touka sighed, and complained loudly."Not if it keeps you awake until 12:00 am! At least tomorrow is Saturday and you'll be home. Ichika wanted you to build a fort with her. She talked about it all day."Kaneki and Touka both smiled fondly at Ichiko, their little girl. The best thing that's ever happened to them."She.. She did?"At Touka's nod Kaneki broke into a grin, which faded slightly when he said:"I never imagined life would be like this.. Not back- back when things between Ghouls and Humans were bad.. Things really seemed hopeless when- when everyone was dying around me."Kaneki's voice wavered and he looked down at the floor. Face flashing in front of himYoshimura, Shirazu, Hiname's parents, Eto, Arima, Mom, dad, all the people The Dragon killed, almost... Almost Hide-Warm arms wrapped around his neck, and Touka's head buried itself in the crook of his neck."Shh, it's alright, Kaneki, come back to the present. Shh shh"Kaneki hugged her back, breathing deeply to calm himself down, he tried the exercise Touka had taught him, silence your thoughts and let your other senses take over.He breathed in Touka's scent, a calming scent that made him smile softly, the feeling of her wrapped snug in his arms, and the sight of her smiling brought him such joy, that suddenly, life seemed perfect. And if life had gone any different.. It wouldn't be the same.And little Ichika, asleep and snoring softly behind them. Kaneki wouldn't have it any other way."Did you want any food honey?"Kaneki asked quietly, when she nodded he reluctantly disentangled himself, and stood up, he offered a hand to her, and she accepted it.Kaneki and Touka walked to the living room and sat down on the couch. Kaneki dished up the takeout as Touka mixed some orange juice, once they settled in, Kaneki draped an arm around her shoulders and leaning on her slightly."You need to sleep more sweetheart."Touka chastised, half teasing, and gently carding her hand through his soft white hair.He shrugged, eyelids drooping, he yawned deeply and shifted slightly, eating a forkful of food and downing a cup of juice trying to stay awake. Every moment with Touka was special.She chuckled softly, and ate a few bites before suggesting calmly, that he go to sleep. He declined some what coherently, which made her smile.'Your so adorable when your tired. I just wish you'd sleep at all."Kaneki mumbled, his consciousness teetering on the edges of unconsciousness.
Maybe he should just fall asleep..His eyes slid closed and his body slumped against his wife's, head lolling on her shoulder. Exhaustion finally claiming him.Touka nuzzled his hair and hugged him tight, she picked him up bridal style, tucking an arm under his back, and one under his legs, then walked down the hall back to the bedroom.She lay her tired Kaneki down beside Ichika, who had woken up when they'd walked in.Ichika cuddled up with her dad and fell back to sleep, Kaneki's arms gathering her up unconsciously and holding her close to his chest. Touka smiled, tousling Kaneki's hair again.She lay down and pulled the blanket puts over the three of them, then lay down, she rested her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes, allowing sleep to come.--------------------------------Touka was. The first to wake up that morning, she sat up rubbing her eyes, she sat there for a little while, looking in amusement in the position Kaneki and Ichika had ended up in.Ichika was sprawled across his upper chest, almost on his neck, arms speed wide, and head lolling on Kaneki's collarbones."good morning you two."Touka said smiling, she shook Kaneki awake gently. He blinked blearily at her, before sitting up, and holding the half awake toddler.
He rubbed his tired eyes."What.. What time is it?"He asked tiredly, Touka glanced at her watch and answered this:"It is 7:40 am."Kaneki nodded and handed the already back to sleep baby to his wife, the stood up and walked over to the bathroom.
Touka stood up and went out to the kitchen.She woke Ichika up and put her in her chair, then begin making breakfast.After Kaneki got ready for the day he walked out and sat down at the table yawning."Hey, love. Thanks, for helping me calm down last night."Kaneki said looking at her with a smile, Touka smiled back and nodded, though he didn't need to go out of his way to thank her, she knew he wouldn't listen if she said so.Touka flipped the pancakes and started making syrup. She heard Kaneki playing with Ichika and smiled slightly."No, don't hit daddy- ow! You little goofer, whatcha doing Ichika, whatcha doin?"Ichika started giggling and thrashing, Kaneki laughed right along with her as he ticked her. He stopped after a little while, and she giggled again."Daddy.. Dada! Fowt! Big fowt!"You want... Want to build a fort? With Daddy?""YESSS!!!!""Alright alright silly. You gotta eat your breakfast first!""Aww! Ok.."Touka laughed and stepped over holding a few pancakes, she put two on Kaneki's plate and one on Ichika's.
She sat next to Ichika and helped her cut her pancake, then drizzled syrup on her food.Kaneki smiled as Touka sat next to him, she served herself a pancake as well, and handed the syrup to Kaneki. He cut into his pancake and started eating.Ichika threw a piece of pancake at Touka's face, it bounced off and Ichika laughed. Touka grinned and tickled her mercilessly.Ichika escaped and ran off into the livingroom laughing her little head off."That was adventurous."Kaneki said as he ate. Touka nodded, pouring them both some orange juice from last night."Quite."She looked at Kaneki and could tell he was think of Hide. He got that look in his eyes, like he didn't know Hide lived four miles from them.
He sighed and rubbed his eyes again."I ripped off some of his face. And he doesn't hate me. Why-"Touka cut him off, by standing up and grabbing the phone."Why you ask him that?"Then she dialed his number, looking at Kaneki as he remembered that Hide was alive. And well."Good morning my favorite sister-in-law!"Hide's cheerful voice came from the other end of the telephone, Hide always called her that. Even though he and Kaneki were not brothers, he said it made Kaneki sound less lonely."Hey, could you come over please?"She asked, walking out of the kitchen."Oh yeah, sure. I'd love to! Ichika is a real demon, but ill manage."Touka sighed, Hide really acted like he was stupid, but she knew he wasn't, or.. At least, she was willing to believe he was smart. For Kaneki's sake."Kaneki thought he'd killed you again this morning."Silence."Oh, I see I'll be right over."Hide' voice lost its cheerful tone, and a more serious voice replaced it.
Hide did know how to be serious, she'd admit that much.Now she'd wait.