“I don’t think I really deserve it.” Takizawa looks at the cross in his hands.
“You do,” Kaneki says quietly.
Takizawa swallows. “Was Akira as insufferable to work with as always?”
Kaneki laughs. “She was actually amazing.”
“Oh, she was always that,” Takizawa agrees, climbing besides Kaneki. “In the academy, I felt like I was in her shadow. Got jealous after a while.”
Kaneki laughs. “You, jealous? Never.”
Takizawa experiences a brief moment of panic – is Kaneki making fun of him? But no, the king is smiling at him.
“I’m so tired,” Kaneki confesses.
“Maybe this isn’t my business.” Takizawa plays with the cross. “But maybe you deserve more than you give yourself credit for. You’re so focused on yourself, you’re gonna go insane. I would know.”
Kaneki frowns.
“No, really,” he insists. “You deserve more.”
“Like what?” Kaneki laughs, but he feels empty.
“Like friends. Like becoming the person you should be, not the person the world makes you into.” Takizawa cackles. “I sound like Amon here, don’t I? Christ.”
“Sorry,” Kaneki says to the cross, and Takizawa laughs harder.
“Here, let me show you.” Takizawa leans forward and kisses Kaneki. “You deserve someone better than me to do that to you.”
“Wait, what?” Kaneki grabs his hands. He’s desperate, so desperate for affection. “Do you mean that?”
“Kinda. What of it?” Takizawa shrugs. “I’ve become part of Kaneki’s-crush-cliches. It’s fine.”
“You’re my first kiss.”
“Hot damn.”
“I liked it.” Kaneki squeezes Takizawa’s hand.
Mercy and Magic 