“Sensei!” Mutsuki grips Kaneki’s hand.

Startled, Kaneki backs into Re. “What?” 

“Why did you leave us?” Mutsuki’s voice rises. His eyes are eerily unfocused. “Didn’t we matter to you?”

“Of – of course you mattered.” Kaneki fights tears. Of all the Quinx, he related the most to Tooru. 

“Then why did you go?” Mutsuki draws a knife. “I need you to stay.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Touka rushes forward. “Are you okay?”

“I want – Sensei – not to leave me,” mumbles Mutsuki. He screams. “I love him, and you stole him!”

“Wait!” Touka holds up her hands. “No, no, no. You’ve got it all wrong.”

“Mutsuki, of course I love you.” Kaneki kisses Mutsuki’s cheek as Touka fishes the knife away. “I had to – Arima asked me.”

“Arima?” Mutsuki now looks jealous of Arima.

“It’s a long story.”

“We need that story.” Mutsuki shakes his head. “Everything’s gone to shit since you left.”

“You are strong enough on your own,” Kaneki pleads.

“Doesn’t mean they should have been on their own.” Touka looks sad, like she’s remembering her own childhood.

“I loved you. You made me safe. Why can’t I have you?” Mutsuki is clearly ill and yet clearly sincere. 

Kaneki doesn’t know the depths of his friend’s trauma. But he knows when he’s needed.

If he returns, CCG will kill him. 

Unless he has faith in Mutsuki’s love. In Urie and Saiko’s love, too.

“Mutsuki – you know I am proud of you, right?” Kaneki traces his face. “You know there’s nothing you can do to scare me off?”

“Not – even – ” Mutsuki looks at the knife. He gulps.

“Not even that.” Kaneki suddenly understands – to lead a rebellion, he must not abandon the Quinx. He must show humans that he will not abandon them for ghouls, and vice versa. 

He kisses Mutsuki. “You’re going to be okay.”

Mutsuki sobs in his arms, but finally, he feels safe again.