[Hide watched as Kaneki moved away from him, feeling a mixture of sadness and relief. He had thought that perhaps he had been the only one to make it to Cerealia so far. That he would be on his own until CERES was able to use their code to bring his friends back. Seeing Kaneki here and whole was almost enough for him to shake off his earlier fear and panic. But it also came with the reminder that there was so much left unsaid between them.
Like the fact that despite Kaneki's best attempts to keep it from him, Hide knew that he was a half-ghoul. The surprise on his face had little to do with what his friend was and everything to do with how unexpected it had been to see his friend that way. He wasn't afraid, of course not, because it was Kaneki.
He pushed himself up slowly, becoming very aware of the soreness of his muscles, particularly in places where he'd landed. If they were going to have this conversation now he wanted to be on equal footing with his friend and not curled up on the ground. But he also didn't want to spook Kaneki. So, after pulling himself to his feet, he restrained himself from closing the distance between them. Hopefully Kaneki wouldn't read too much into that.]
I know, man. You don't have to explain anything because...I already know.
[His smile is bright and genuine, with a touch of sadness. He knew that Kaneki hadn't wanted him to know. And he definitely hadn't wanted Hide to find out like this. Honestly, this hadn't been how Hide had imagined this conversation going either. He'd always hoped that Kaneki would come forward on his own. Not...like this.]
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Like the fact that despite Kaneki's best attempts to keep it from him, Hide knew that he was a half-ghoul. The surprise on his face had little to do with what his friend was and everything to do with how unexpected it had been to see his friend that way. He wasn't afraid, of course not, because it was Kaneki.
He pushed himself up slowly, becoming very aware of the soreness of his muscles, particularly in places where he'd landed. If they were going to have this conversation now he wanted to be on equal footing with his friend and not curled up on the ground. But he also didn't want to spook Kaneki. So, after pulling himself to his feet, he restrained himself from closing the distance between them. Hopefully Kaneki wouldn't read too much into that.]
I know, man. You don't have to explain anything because...I already know.
[His smile is bright and genuine, with a touch of sadness. He knew that Kaneki hadn't wanted him to know. And he definitely hadn't wanted Hide to find out like this. Honestly, this hadn't been how Hide had imagined this conversation going either. He'd always hoped that Kaneki would come forward on his own. Not...like this.]