Requested by: @howtosuckjin101 I hope you enjoy!! Tell me if it wasn't what you wanted!

There is STRONG LANGUAGE in this one, so watch out!!

You watched closely as Tsukiyama happily walked around your apartment, silently trying to figure out what put him in such a good mood. As he paced closer to where you were sitting, you decided to ask him.

"What's gotten you so happy-go-lucky today?" You asked, smiling when Shuu turned towards you as if he was just acknowledging your presence, despite being in your apartment.

"Ah, I just made a new friend, is all." He said, although you could see in his demeanor that that wasn't the end of his story. You had to admit Shuu had a significant lack of friends his age, alright... You'd be hyped too if you were him.

"Hm, mind telling me a bit about them?" You asked, patting the space next to you on the couch.

"His name is Kaneki," He started, deciding to take up your offer and sit down. "I met him when I was visiting Anteiku. I have a feeling we'll get along." He added, smiling to himself even if the smile looked slightly off putting.

"Nice to see you finally made a friend." You teased, smirking at how your boyfriend's smile turned into a frown. "What makes you think he'll like you?"

Shuu scoffed. "He's not my only friend! And of course he'll like me, why wouldn't he?"

"Because you can be a bit much at times. Some people might not be able to handle your personality, Shuu." You answered, thoroughly enjoying how your words were affecting him.

"Then care to explain how I managed to sweep you off your feet? You are my lover after all, aren't you?" He said, smugly smirking. Oh, he thought he shut you up, didn't he?

"Well, I do have to admit that I have strange taste in partners..." You sighed, stifling a snort at just how annoyed he was by your relentless comments.

"You hurt me, (Y/N)." He faked hurt, grasping the fabric of his shirt, right over where his heart would be. "I have done nothing but love you and this is what I get?"

"I love you too, Shuu. You know I was just doing that to tease you." You smiled at him. "Anyways, what are ya planning to do with Kaneki?"

You did not miss the look of surprise on Tsukiyama's face before he calmed down again.

"Oh, I was planning on a game of squash and maybe bring him to that café I was talking to you about." He shrugged, pretending that the way you sentenced your question did not just make him think you knew about his true origins.

"The one where Takatsuki goes to, right? I'm sure he'll like it." You reassured. "Talking about that, it's been a while since we went on an actual date. I'll have to plan something, too."

"Well, then." He sighed, getting up. "I suppose we both have planning to do! I'll leave you to it, I myself have some arrangements to make." With that, he headed out, waving at you and smiling one last time before closing your apartment door behind him.

"Rest in peace, Kaneki-kun." You sighed, laying down on your couch. It was actually a bit frightening at how obvious it was that your boyfriend was a ghoul.

Leaving at the mention of dates that might include human food? Ghoul.

Actually commenting on not your perfume, but your literal scent? Ghoul.

Not to mention the fact that he seemed to describe human food as if he read tons of books about what they're supposed to taste instead of his actual opinion on the matter. Just from those hints, you could tell who he even was as a ghoul.

Not that you ever told him. You couldn't, he might panic and next thing you know, he deems you unworthy of his trust and kills you. Not that you'd blame him, you heard about people ratting out their loved ones to the CCG way too often, you understand that Shuu just wouldn't take the chance. Hell, if the roles were reversed... You just might take a few security measures yourself.

But, things were better this way. Shuu feels safe because you pretend you don't know he's the Gourmet, and you don't mention his ghoulish behaviour, although if someone as attentive as you swung by and noticed, things might go to hell real quick. In that case, you swore you'd be by his side. Even if it meant betraying the human race, you just loved the man too much to just leave him hanging.

You don't even need him to reciprocate your feelings about this whole ordeal.

You'd do anything to help him.

••••

"You good?" Your friend asked, worried by the dark circles under your eyes. "You look like you haven't gotten a wink of sleep."

"That's because I haven't." You groaned. "My boyfriend went missing two year ago and I've been looking for him for fucking ever. I'm so tired..."

"You should report it to the authorities. Hell, it might be a ghoul, maybe you should tell the CCG-"

"I can't, he's got a bad background with the police." You lied through your teeth. "I don't know if they'd let him go or not, and I don't wanna risk it."

"You're dating a criminal? That's unlike you, (Y/N)..." She said, frowning under the mask covering her lower face.

"He's an amazing man, okay? Not easy to rat out someone you love with your whole being. And I would never do it, you know how loyal I am." You explained, heart hurting every time you mentioned Shuu.

"Must be tough..." She rubbed your back soothingly while you slouched over on the chair you were sitting, face in your hands.

"I just want him back, damn it..." You whimpered.

"Hey, I might have something that will cheer you up." Mayu softly spoke. "Just to take your mind off of things, I have this party going on soon and I was wondering if you'd like helping me out. You basically just have to stand there, look attractive and interact with people. Maybe someone'll have answers about your boyfriend." She explained, causing you to raise your head.

"When is it? I'd do anything to get him back." You desperately answered. Two years of searching and nothing. It was pathetic to see how little you knew about your boyfriend's true life.

"Here, you just need to show up around 7:30 at the subway station, I'll pick you up there." She explained, smirking. "Maybe try to move on, yeah? If he's been gone for two years, you know what it implies, don't you?"

"I don't want to think about it." You pouted. "He's strong, he'll pull through anything."

Mayu simply chuckled and said goodbye before leaving you alone.

••••

How the fuck were you so dim? Ah, yes. (L/N) (Y/N), the person who can tell who the Gourmet is within a month, but cannot spot Nutcracker when they see her and give them a shady job. Now here you were, in a god damn box because you decided to get into a car with the damn ghoul. What did ghouls have against you? You met so many of them, it was incredible. Was it your scent? It probably was. Shuu told you all the time that you smelled nice.

Shuu... Where was he now? Was he avoiding you? Was he killed by a ghoul? The CCG? You just wanted answers, damn it. You didn't want to be sold at what sounded like an auction for human trafficking...

Nothing could go worse than right now.

Well, actually... If you weren't sold for a high price, that might be hitting rock bottom, but...

"The next few items aren't listed in your catalogs, so I would suggest that you listen very closely."

At that, you were somehow yanked out of your box and pushed onto the stage, knees scraping painfully on the wood. But you didn't cringe at the stinging in your knee caps. You were a bit more focused on the thousands of ghouls sitting in front of you, eyeing you like a piece of candy. It was disgusting.

"This human here is indeed normal, but their scent is quite spectacular, anyone would mistake them for a one-eyed ghoul if it weren't for their lack of kagune and kakugan. We can assure you they taste as great as they smell, as well. Their health is in mint state and they are completely mentally stable." The man behind you said as your eyes darted all around, terrified by just how many ghouls there were, all packed in one room. "We'll start at 10 000."

"11 000!"

"15 000!"

"30 000!"

Holy crap.

Your eyes kept following the ghouls that were yelling out numbers, each one higher than the last, until one voice rang out.

"1 000 000!"

You turned your head at the ghoul, spotting two more close to them. Two of them looked like servants, the one who yelled out included.

"1 500 000!" A second voice yelled, causing your eyes to go towards where a fat lady was.

'That's Big Madam, no doubt.' You thought. You had heard a few tales about how screwed up she was. You really didn't want to end up with her...

"1 700 000!" The first voice yelled.

"2 000 000!" The second exclaimed.

"3 000 000!"

Big Madam never answered to that.

"Going once," The ghoul behind you spoke calmly. "Going twice," The auditorium was completely silent. "And sold."

With that, he lifted you up and dragged you away, where Mayu-- Nutcracker awaited with open arms.

"Three million!" She exclaimed, hugging you tightly. "You're a little miracle!" She praised, ignoring the man who seemed familiar, behind the two of you. It's something about his hair cut...

You were cut out of your thoughts by a wet pair of lips on your cheek that made you grimace.

"That's for my 3 million!" She cheered, dragging you along the corridors. "Now, this is much better than looking for that pathetic man, isn't it?"

"Fuck off." You growled, having trouble keeping up with her quick pace.

"Watch your sass, dear. You might--" Her comment was cut off by loud screeches and noises.

You, however, brightened up. "The CCG!" You exclaimed. Of course they'd interfere.

"Fuck!" Mayu yelled out, picking you up and quickening her already fast pace.

What was she even planning? The CCG probably already killed who ever had 'bought' you. The bitch could kiss her 3 million goodbye. Actually, no. You didn't enjoy the first time she kissed your cheek, you don't want that to happen again.

Taking advantage of her thrown off state, you successfully wriggled out of her gasp, kicking her away before bolting in a random direction, ignoring her cries for you to come back. Yeah, not gonna happen.

Looking behind you, you sighed out of relief when you noticed she was no where in your field of view. However, your relief was cut short when you crashed into someone's chest.

'Please be an investigator...' You thought. However, your prayers were left unanswered.

"Ah, da bist Du." The person spoke, making you frown. Another linguistic? Apparently, Shuu wasn't the only one... If only you could run back to him safe and sound and tell him the good news...

You recognized him-- her? You'll just go with them for now, you weren't sure of their gender... Anyways, you recognized them despite the dim lighting. They were the one who bid 3 000 000$ on you.

"L-listen..." You started, yelping when they picked you up and carried you away. What was it with people and dragging you away today? "Oi, put me down, damn it! I'll have the CCG on your androgynous ass!" You threatened, which was completely ignored by the ghoul, who was muttering stuff in German. Such a shame that you didn't listen to Shuu when he was rambling in the said language...

You could only pray you'd live to see Shuu at least one last time before your death, no matter what...

••••

The person, who you learned was named Kanae, threw you on the ground once you had entered what looked like a mansion.

"Will you shut up?!" They exclaimed.

"Ah, and so they do speak Japanese." You sassed, giving the surprised ghoul a glare. They weren't expecting you to have a sassy mouth, were they? "Weren't expecting me to be anything but an obedient slave, I suppose? Well, newsflash, pute... You just burned 3 million dollars for my sarcastic ass." You said, emphasizing the french word (which was the only one you had picked up from your boyfriend's angry rants).

And that brave comment earned you a kick to the face. A really painful kick, actually. Just a bit stronger and it would have broken your neck.

"Don't speak to me like that, you tra-- you sad excuse of a human being!" They threatened, getting all up in your face. Why did they look like Shuu, a bit?

You spat out blood, careful to aim it at their now stained dress shirt. "Planning to feed me to someone special?" You taunted. "If you can't call me trash and all..."

And apparently, their reaction resembled Shuu's, as well. Furrowed eyebrows, mouth hung open in a frown, silent gasp escaping their lips... Why were they so similar..?

"Ah yes, and they're smart, too..." You sassed, rolling your eyes and flinching when Kanae was about to kick you again.

"Kanae." A calm voice spoke. You mentally thanked them, even though you knew she was there to bring you to your death.

"I apologize, Matsumae. They were speaking out of turn." Kanae said, glaring at you.

"Don't harm them too much." She warned. "He wants to see them now, by the way." She added.

"Now?" Kanae gaped. "But we haven't prepared anything yet--"

"He wants them as fresh as he can get it, so could you bring the human to him already?" Matsumae said, watching as Kanae picked you up (a disgusted expression on their face) and dragged you upstairs.

"Androgynous piece of shit." You muttered. Mutual hatred was being radiated off of the two of you, and you were sure all of Japan could feel it.

The ghoul knocked on a large door before entering the room, dropping you gently (well, by gently you meant they didn't swing you down like you knew they wanted to do) and positioning one arm in front of their chest while the other was behind their back. "The ingredient is here." Kanae spoke softly.

"Bring it closer." A slightly familiar voice spoke, making your head perk up, ignoring the dizziness it caused. Thanks for concussion, Kanae.

"Yes, Master Shuu." With that, Kanae yanked you back up on your feet and ushered you closer to the bed in the middle of the room-- hold the fuck on, Shuu?

You couldn't stop yourself from gaping once you were closer.

"Shuu?" You spoke, tensing up when you thought Kanae was going to hit you for speaking. Yet, nothing.

However, the person who was in bed started to shift, causing the servant behind you to rush to their help. "Don't move so suddenly, master Shuu! You might get hurt!"

"Kanae, bring them closer." The voice ordered sternly, although it was shaky. They sounded more and more familiar by the second.

Kanae could do nothing but obey and push you even closer to the bed, where you finally were able to recognize the terrifyingly pale and thin man sitting in front of you.

"Oh my god, Shuu..." You breathed, blinking back the tears blurring your vision. "Shuu, you're alive..!" You softly spoke, smiling. He may not look well, but he's alive and breathing.

"(Y/N), mon amour..." He answered, a frail looking hand reaching out for you. You quickly but gently took it in yours, caressing his bony hand. What happened to him..? "I'm sorry you have to see me this way. I'm sorry I left you, and I'm terribly sorry I hadn't told you before... I understand if you despise me." He weakly spoke, making you shush him.

"I'm not mad, Shuu. I was worried sick ever since you disappeared. I haven't stopped looking for you since." You answered. "I was aware you were a ghoul for quite some time, sweetheart. I'm not mad at all..."

The man seemed to become surprised at your words, making you chuckle.

"What, it was pretty easy to figure it out, honestly... Gourmet." You teased. "You know I'm smart enough to find out stuff like that when I put my mind to it."

"I apologize, mi amore. I should have put more faith in you." He whispered, thoroughly enjoying the small physical contact he had with you right now. He hadn't seen you in nearly three years, he left you all alone and yet you were still loyal to him and only him. "You still smell so good..." He commented, making you tense up for a small second.

"Seems my scent gave me lots of trouble since you left." You half joked. You weren't lying per say... That reminded you of the reason you were here. You opened your mouth to talk about it, until Shuu cut you off.

"Kanae, I can't eat them." He weakly said. "Please, accompany them back home and make sure they stay safe." He pleaded, making Kanae frown.

"Yes, Master Shuu." They said, before tightly gripping your shoulder and turning you away from him. "This way." They growled, leading you away from your sick boyfriend.

"But Shuu's not--"

"I can't disobey orders." They cut off, pushing you out of the room and closing the door behind them. "In front of him, that is." The clarified, making you frown.

"What are you implying here?" You asked, skeptical.

"How far would you go for my master?" Kanae questioned.

"As far as I need to go. He matters to me. I've remained loyal to him this long, and I'm not planning on stopping. Is there anything I can do to help? I want to help him"

"You are aware that you smell and most likely taste exactly like a one-eyed ghoul, despite being human?" They asked, apparently ignoring your question.

"Uh, so I've been told... I'll do literally anything. What's your plan?"

"Would you consider dying for his sake?" Kanae asked, making you vigorously nod your head, despite the nervousness pooling in your stomach. The ghoul visibly sighed in relief at your reaction. "Thank you so much..." They said, pulling you for a not-so-anticipated hug. "You could save his life..!"

"I'd be honoured to do so." You softly spoke, already trying to calm yourself down. "I have a question for you first."

"What is it?" They asked, not pulling away from the hug. Alright then...

"What pronouns do you use? I literally cannot figure it out." You said. Better to occupy your mind with things that aren't as dark as death...

"Female ones, please." She begged, finally pulling away. "I am Karren von Rosewald, and I am forever in your favour. Danke."

You nodded. "Well, take good care of him while I'm gone, okay Karren?"

"Of course, I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise." She nodded. "This way, I won't kill you here." She said, guiding you through the confusing hallways of the Tsukiyama estate.

"I'm still pissed about the kick to the face though." You teased. "I won't let you live it down, even beyond the grave."

"I'll live with it." Karren said, giving you the smallest smile.

"Thank you." You both simultaneously said.

••••

"Master Shuu?" Karren asked, knocking on the door with her free hand. "The cooks have prepared something special for you." She softly spoke, careful to not look at the human flesh resting on the plate. She felt horrible for the sins she committed, but you gave her your consent and you both wanted to do what ever it took to help Shuu.

"What is it?" He asked, seemingly a bit better than before. Maybe your little visit opened his mind to food a bit more...

"It's... a Quinx. An artificial ghoul of sorts." She lied. Karren felt relief when her cousin perked up at the mention of an artificial ghoul.

"Bring it here." He spoke, a note of curiosity in his tone. He was finally going to eat, after so long...