Kaneki x F!Reader | overdose

Someone call the doctor, hold me and tell me
Love is a sickness, an addiction, overdose
It’s harder to control as time goes by
I’m falling deeper into her
Oh too much, it’s you, your love, this is overdose
Too much, it’s you, your love, this is overdose

- - -

He watched you from a safe distance.

There was the gentle floral fragrance that your flower shop exuded, he could even smell it from across the street. Leaning against the lamp post, Kaneki tried to blend into the evening shadows, trying not look like the creep he felt as he watched you move about your shop.

Stooping over a large pot outside, you tipped a baby blue watering can over to let the flowers drink the fresh water. This gave Kaneki a great view of your backside - not that he didn't try to look away because he did, he really did, but he wasn't very successful, not even a little bit.

Standing back up, you went inside again.

Kaneki stood there until your shop closed, seeing you flip the sign over to read: "Sorry, we're closed!" in cursive, printed lettering.

Every part of him felt numb from the cold. He had no doubt that his ears and nose were red from the nightly chill. Goosebumps rose the hair along his arms, since he'd arrived there in the daytime when the sun shone strongly, high in the sky, so he was wearing short-sleeves.

Tomorrow, he promised himself. Tomorrow I'll be brave and I'll introduce myself to her.

- - -

Weeks passed and still, that boy lounged against the lamp post across the road.

You had noticed him a while back, from just a casual glance out of the corner of your eye, but had then gone about your business and completely forgotten him quickly. Sometimes, you'd notice him standing there or passing by but it didn't seem like anything significant so your mind quickly forgot. But when the dark-haired boy's appearances became too frequent to ignore, your mind started to make up scenarios to explain his presence.

Maybe he was homeless?

His clean, crisp yet schoolboy-esque clothing said otherwise. So did the occasional coffee cup in his grip and the usual book he'd bring. So that dispelled that theory.

Maybe he was going through troubles at home? An angry partner or parent had enough of him and sent him out, on the streets, for peace. Or maybe he left willingly, glad to be free of fighting until he would crawl into bed at night.

But he seemed so gentle, such a soft-spoken and mild-mannered boy. The way he read animatedly, how he leaned against the lamp post but didn't slouch like a "cool" gangster wannabe, even the way he sipped at his coffee in a mannerly fashion not guzzled it like an animal; this all told you that he wasn't the type to pick fights with people.

Then why?

Why did he stand there so often?

As the mild April day was winding to an end, you closed your shop up and took a moment to double check that you'd locked everything up properly. Then you preened yourself in the door's window, checking your appearance before marching with determination over to the black-haired boy.

He glanced up from his book, hearing footsteps drawing near.

Kaneki's eyes widened.

Shutting his book quickly, he shoved it into his shoulder bag and picked up his empty plastic cup, that had been filled with ice tea earlier on. He threw it in the bin and turned on his heels, ready to flee. He thought you were ready to yell him out, call him creepy, tell him that you had already called the police and they were on their way.

"Excuse me, sir!" you called out, starting to run.

When a hand gripped his elbow and gently turned him around, he had no choice but to face you.

Your eyes were staring him down assertively, peering up at him through thick lashes with (e/c) eyes that sent shivers down his spine. "Um, do you mind if I ask you something?"

He shook his head, having not expected to be asked a question, preparing himself for a tongue lashing instead. "N - no, go ahead."

"What are you doing here?" You stepped back from him, to give him breathing space. "I don't mean to pry but I've noticed you standing here almost every day for a few weeks now. I can't figure out why, though."

Now, he almost wished you'd shouted at him, screamed at the top of your lungs because anything would have been better than getting asked that question.

"I'm sorry," he said immediately.

"For what?" you frowned.

"I stood here because I think you're very beautiful a - and I wanted to talk to you but ... I never did."

It was a little pathetic.

The boy you'd imaged as possibly living rough or being a hardened fighter was actually just a college boy with a crush. Despite the amount of valuable time he would never get back wasted, just standing outside and watching you instead of living life, it was a little endearing. He was adorable, shy and very, very cute. Although you were a few years older and definitely more mature, considering the fact that you saw simply talking to you instead of watching from a distance a far better method of getting your attention, you wanted to give the boy a chance.

"That's a little creepy," you noted.

The way he flinched let you know that he already understood this, knew that it was strange.

"But," you said, stressing the word and dragging it out, "since it's also a little sweet and I think you're cute, I'll forget about how creepy it is as long as you take me out on a date."

"Really?" Kaneki said, his voice going a little higher than he had meant it to.

"Sure," you shrugged. "When's good for you?"

"Any day, any day at all is good," he said quickly.

You eyed him closely. His skin was a mixture of sallow and pale like a porcelain doll. Doll-like, dark lashes fluttered atop onyx orbs and pulled you in. He exuded an aura of innocence and purity, maybe even a little naiveness. Slim shoulders and long longs were hidden by a black shirt and jeans. There was no denying his physical looks but you would see how desirable he was personality wise during your date.

"Sunday, then," you said. "Dinner and a movie, something classic and simple. You seem like that type of guy."

He nodded, then paused. "Uh, what's your name?"

"(Y/N) (S/N). Yours?"

He took a moment to mouth your name, tasting it on his tongue before saying, "Ken Kaneki."

"Well, Kaneki-san, since I'm not comfortable with giving my phone number out to a random boy that watched me for so long, why don't we just meet up here at six on Sunday?"

Nervously and feeling a little ashamed of how he'd tried to build up the courage to talk to you, Kaneki fiddled with the strap of his bag. He was looking down at the ground, toeing a piece of gum stuck to the concrete with the point of his dress shoe.

"Sounds perfect," he said.

You beamed. "I'll see you on Sunday then."

- - -

"Hey, Kaneki?"

"Hm?"

"You're not enjoying this movie, are you?"

His gaze flickered from the large cinema screen to your (e/c) eyes. It was honestly the worst movie he'd ever seen. The script was delivered in motonous voices with expressionless faces by practically every actor on set. Not one was really decent, just less bad than the one before. Then there was the pointless storyline that spent ten minutes on one topic before switching to another and leaving everything unfinished and open-ended. Not even halfway through, he had taken to munching on popcorn to keep himself amused. But Kaneki wasn't sure if he should be honest with you about the tasteless movie or try to keep up the charming ruse that most used on first dates, to leave a good impression.

"No," he admitted. "It's terrible."

You smiled, glad he'd been honest with you.

During the dinner, his shy glances and bookish nature had melted any reservations you'd had about him being creepy. You didn't like how he wasn't very outspoken, making you lead every conversation and sometimes it felt like you were talking to yourself but then he would say something so insightful and intelligent that despite how soft-spoken and unopinionated he was, almost like he was afraid to hurt you and would rather be hurt instead, he had a talent for listening and giving advise.

Leaning over the arm rest, you teasingly nipped his earlobe, turning him a dark shade of red. Kaneki felt that even in the darkened theatre, his face shone like Rudolph's nose.

"Let's leave and go back to mine," you whispered hotly in his ear. "I've got a rather impressive movie collection, way better than this thing."

Stiffly, Kaneki nodded and shuffled after you.

Back at your place, you woo-ed him with alcohol, a home-made last minute meal and an excellent movie. Kaneki and you had cuddled on your couch under a blanket and it was honestly the best date you'd ever been on.

"Hey, Kaneki," you said, just as the second movie was coming to a finish.

He blinked at you curiously.

"Why don't you stay the night?" you purred. Seductively, you nipped at the soft skin under his ear. Then you trailed kisses down his neck, to his collarbone where you sunk your teeth in.

His breathing quickened, shy hands fumbling for your hips.

"Okay," he agreed.

- - -

"Hey, look," Kaneki gasped, his thin fingers entwined with yours. "That coffee shop has been destroyed."

You'd never been a patron there but Kaneki and his friend, Hide, had gone together a few times. They had always reported good things to you, about coffee brewed to perfection and tasty treats. Plus, Hide had his eye on a purplette waitress there that never really returned his affections.

"I wonder what happened," you mused.

"Probably a fire, from the kitchen or something," he said. "Or else it's that guy Hide was talking about, that arsonist setting churches on fire in that big town nearby, the one that you and your friend went to for her hen party."

"Oh, yeah," you said, smiling at the memory. "It was a beautiful place, lively night-life. I hope they catch that guy."

"Hm, me too," Kaneki nodded, glancing down at his watch. "Oh, come on, (Y/N), if we don't hurry then we'll be late to that book signing."

Over the while that you two had been together, Kaneki had opened up more.

He still followed a "better to be hurt than to hurt others" approach to life that you were slowly but surely weaning him from. He was kind, too kind, and you felt like a protective mother hen always fussing around him and eyeing any of his friends up - to make sure none were using him for his good nature. The only friend of his you liked and thought was decent enough for your heart-of-gold Kaneki was Hide, though he had been too busy lately with his pizza delivery job to hang out with you both as much anymore.

Your left hand was linked with Kaneki's right, your engagement ring feeling cold against his skin in a way that made his toes curl. He couldn't believe you'd said yes. Despite the age difference and how insignificant he felt to your elegant maturity, there was an undeniable connection that made you both work together as a couple.

Sometimes, Kaneki wonders how his life might have turned out without you.

A brooding, foreboding gut feeling told him that it would have been awful.

- - -

"Mama?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Why does daddy always work so late?"

You sighed softly, picking your daughter up and resting her on your hip. She was young but so bright, no doubt inheriting Kaneki's brains and your curious nature. With dark black hair and (s/c) skin, she was a perfect mixture of both her parents. Not to sound conceited but your daughter was the most beautiful and intelligent four year old that ever was. Kaneki said it was rude whenever you said that but you were simply stating a fact.

"He's a workaholic," you explained.

"What's that?"

"Someone that likes to work a lot. Your daddy's an honest earner, someone who works very hard and puts everyone else before himself. His co-workers at the office used to ask him to fill in for them on their "sick" days because they noticed how nice but stupid your daddy was. But can I fill you in on a little secret?"

Her eyes lit up at this - her mother was entrusting her with something so grown-up and serious. Her (e/c) eyes narrowed and she nodded, looking like she would take this important secret to the grave.

"When daddy had that tummy ache a few months ago, I went out to buy him medicine to make him feel better. On my journey, I stopped by his office first, yelled at everybody. I think they're scared of me now because no one has asked your kind daddy to fill in for them since!"

Your daughter beamed. "Serves them right! Using my daddy and taking all my attention and cuddles away!"

The door opened, causing you and her to share secretive smiles. Then she wiggled, silently asking to be set down before bounding up to her father.

Kaneki, in your opinion, looked dashing in a suit. He fit the role of office employee and father nicely, slipping his shoes off by the door and picking his daughter up, nuzzling his nose against hers.

"How was everyone's day?" he wondered.

As your daughter went into vivid detail and mimed an excited re-enactment of an over exaggerated tale about how her teacher was so cool that he could fight off dragons and do backflips at the same time, Kaneki pressed a shy kiss to your lips. He wasn't good at public displays of affection, felt even more awkward about them in front of his child. But you didn't have these same worries. Pressing your lips to his, you gave Kaneki a passionate "welcome home" kiss.

"I love you," you breathed, pulling back.

"I love you more," he countered.