((Thank you so much for all that you do. When is your birthday, btw?)) In the same DBZ crossover universe, Hajime Hazuki is trying to find his place in the world after being defeated and detained when Kaneki and Gohan introduce him to Chie, Goten and Trunks, gaining two friends he would grow close to and an intense budding love for a certain half saiyan girl.

I’m happy to. ❤ My birthday is is July! When is yours? 😀

And yasssss Hajime.

“How’s it going, Hajime?” Kaneki peers through the cracked door. He’s hesitant to enter.

The immediate response is “GO AWAY!”

And then, “Why do you keep visiting me in this cell?”

“Cell?” Gohan is confused. This kid is troubled, he knows, but he’s in a nice home, with nice surrogate parents – Amon and Mado seem perfect to him.

“I’m not allowed to go outside on my own,” the kid says mockingly. He yanks open his door and reveals his kakugan. “Heya, mutt.”

“Hajime, can you not?” Kaneki pleads.

Chie peers closer. “Ooh, I love that kakugan. Can I see your kagune?”

Hajime flushes. He didn’t realize a girl was here. “Sure!”

He thrusts out his crimson tentacles. “Like Kaneki’s, but better.”

Gotten coughs. Trunks shakes his head, but he rather admires this brat.

“We are going to take you out for ice cream,” Kaneki says awkwardly. “If you wanted.”

“Please say yes.” Chie clasps her hands, and Hajime looks terrified.

So that’s his secret weakness. Girls. Gohan grins.

“Fine.” Hajime sniffs and makes sure to sidle up to Chie. “Did you know I was the leader of a Squad once?”

“You were a child soldier?” Goten is horrified.

“I liked it!” Hajime stomps his foot.

“Well, I like you not in danger,” Kaneki replies.

Hajime scowls.

“I like you alive, too,” Chie says.

Hajime immediately brightens. He makes a mental note to order the same flavor of ice cream as she so they’ll have more to talk about.

Soon after becoming Gohan’s lover, Kaneki is introduced to his family, Goku, Chichi, Chie and Goten, who welcome him with open arms. (Chief is one of the first ocs I ever made, Goku’s daughter who is two years older than Goten. She is as cheerful and fun loving as her brothers and the most battle ready as well, loving martial arts. She is also protective of Goten and Trunks’ other best friend. She’s matured Both she and Goten have tails too))

“Are you nervous? You shouldn’t be.” Gohan grins and leads Kaneki into his family’s house.

“Is this him?” Goku stands and embraces Kaneki. “I’m glad to meet the boy who has brought my son such happiness.”

“So am I.” Chichi yanks Kaneki closer to her. “So you’re half-ghoul, huh? That’s fascinating to me.”

Chie laughs. “Of course it is.”

“So tell me Kaneki, have you tasted Saiyan yet? Are we yummy?” Goten winks.

Kaneki gasps. “I – no, of course not – I only eat corpses -”

“Yes, I know.” Goten grins, tapping Kaneki’s face with his tail. “I’m just teasing.”

“We like you, kid.” Goku smiles.

“I brewed you coffee!” Chichi hands Kaneki a cup. “Sit down with us.”

“Thank you.” Kaneki slides into a seat besides Gohan. “Oh, this is fantastic coffee.”

“Isn’t it?” Chie’s eyes sparkle. “When’s the wedding.”

“Too soon, Chie,” Gohan exclaims.

“Sure, sure. But you’re so happy, I can’t help but ask.” She shrugs.

Surrounded by a happy, functional family, Kaneki finally feels home.

Kaneki enjoys his talks with Gohan, the half saiyan being impossible to even dislike with his humble and righteous nature. Slowly, he comes to fall for Gohan and struggles with it because he doesn’t think he’s good enough so someone like Gohan. But when his birthday comes around, he gets the surprise of his life when Gohan confesses to him.

“You should tell him.” Touka insists.

“No, I don’t think so.” Kaneki swallows. He’s too much of a coward, a failure, for someone like Gohan to like him. Gohan knows how to balance his pacifism with fighting. Gohan is content in himself.

Touka scowls. “Fine, be unhappy.”

“I don’t…what else can I do?” Kaneki blinks.

“Invite him to your birthday party,” she retorts.

“Party?!”

“Yeah. You’re having one.” Touka cackles with glee. “You can’t be friends with Shuu and not have a birthday party.”

When the birthday party comes, Kaneki finds it difficult to speak to Gohan. Sure, he already decided not to tell him, but somehow that feels scarier.

Gohan sips their coffee. “This is the best coffee around. Food of the gods.”

“Just the ghouls,” Touka jokes.

“Ghouls are amazing creatures.” Gohan seems sincere, and Kaneki’s heart leaps.

“You don’t think so, Kaneki?” Gohan uses his tail to tickle him. “You know, Kaneki, I’ve been wanting to say something to you…forgive me if it sounds impolite, but…”

Kaneki’s heart sinks. Gohan hates him.

“…I really like you. Not just as a friend.” Gohan slurps down the rest of his coffee. “How’s that for an awkward birthday confession?”

Kaneki splutters. “What?”

“I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. I just feel like – you know me really well, and you understand me, Kaneki.” Gohan smiles sweetly.

Kaneki leans forward. “Gohan, I … like you, too. Like, like like.”

Gohan laughs with relief. “Really?”

Kaneki nods. So even Gohan feels scared of love.

He’s not alone.

And today, he feels known.

A Son Gohan/Kaneki Ken scenario where Gohan teaches Ken that, no matter what, hope always exists and that it will always be there (“as surely as the sun will rise again”), just like he will be for him.

“So you’re essentially a half-breed, too.” Gohan smiles.

“Y-yes.” Kaneki starts. “Is that a tail?!”

“It is!” Gohan grins and allows Kaneki to touch it. “I’m half Saiyan. I was expected to be a fighter like them, but I’m not so good at that. I’d rather study.”

“Me too.” Kaneki shakes his head. “I’m a terrible person.”

“Why? For being half-species? That’s part of who you are.” Gohan shrugs. “It’s fine. Don’t give up because you’re different, Kaneki.”

“But – how do I move on when one can understand me?” Kaneki asks.

“I can understand you. And Touka can understand your ghoul side. Hide can understand your human side. The Quinx can understand the ‘both worlds’ part. You’re not alone, despite how you feel.” Gohan smiles. “And, by the way, it’s okay to dislike fighting, so long as you don’t use that dislike in a cowardly fashion.”

Kaneki nods, still patting the tail. He likes the fur. Why couldn’t he have been turned half-Saiyan?

“As surely as the sun will rise again,” says Gohan, “know that hope – for anything – always exists and will always be there.”

Kaneki isn’t sure he knows that, but maybe, if he can keep talking to this weird person with a tail, he will learn.