AU: Tokyo Ghoul
Requested
Tags/Warnings: GN! Reader, Gore, some angst (Though both aren't too heavy or graphic I think), probably a poor representation of the manga/anime cause I haven't actually read/watched it all the way through despite wanting to
Word Count: 3.3k+
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
Kozume grunted. His kagune, the source of his inhuman power, made strikes at his cannibal attacker, forming a bone-like needle that stabbed down at the unknown ghoul. The concrete shattered like thick glass upon impact as the ghoul continued to dodge.
Tokyo (especially its many outskirt neighbourhoods) had a ghoul problem.
"You're in the wrong territory if you think you can get away with that."
The other ghoul only laughed, continuing his fast steps. The laugh itself was painful, scratchy and high pitched. It made Kozume wince.
The people of Kozume's neighbourhood knew of the danger that lay waiting outside their doors, and thus an unspoken rule had been made among them. Don't be outside past sunset. Those that did take a nightly venture typically were found mangled and half-eaten by morning. Broken bones peaking through bloodstained flesh, large bites taken out of their thighs, and torsos ripped open; delectable looking meal for a ghoul gone rouge. Kenma wouldn't agree.
The dark alley that the ghoul had run into was walled off.
His opponent's black greasy hair hung over most of his face like a curtain, only letting a single black and red eye, and a sharp-toothed smirk poke through the strands. His hair swayed as he spun around.
"What does territory matter if there's food to be had?" The ghoul screeched before his powered ghoul organ seeped out of his body and shot toward Kozume. It scratched his cheekbone, barely missing his eye, thankfully, but would take time to heal unlike any normal would.
Kozume hissed at the cut, willing his own kagune to slash at the ghoul who began climbing up the sides of the brick walls. The sharpened bone just missed the man's food as he scurried over the ledge.
"See you later!"
The false blond stood there, yawning and rubbing his black and red eyes that were pinned to the building's top. Heat from the rising sun began to warm his back. With the new light and extra heat, the tired ghoul raised his arms, stretching, as he took in his familiar surroundings. The port, or at least near it. Kozume stepped out of the alley to see the broken concrete that was left in his chase.
Another yawn escaped him before he tucked his hand in his red sweater's pockets and walked the other way. He needed coffee.
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
Kuroo's shop, as lovely of an atmosphere as it created, was in the middle of a garbage dump. It didn't help that some of that outside aesthetic carried into the cafe itself. The bell pierced into Kozume's ear canal as he opened the front door to the dingy sight. Stained counters, chipped porcelain, yellow lights that were so off-putting that they stayed off all the time. It's always been dark and gloomy, until today.
"Welcome! Take a seat, I'll be right with you."
That's new.
Kozume stood in the doorway, watching your form dance and sway behind the bar. He noticed the music playing, soft and completely unnatural for the cafe. Your uniform, definitely not assigned by Kuroo, was crisp and clean, black shirt sitting on your form nicely. It was modest and professional. Maybe not assigned, but definitely Kuroo's style.
He watched as you placed a small cake at another regular's table, patting the old man's signature plaid jacket on the shoulder. Whatever you said made the man laugh and twirl his fork happily.
His golden eyes, now settled after his too-early walk from the destroyed park, were trained on you as he sidestepped over to his usual seat in the corner next to the window. He sat, and took his eyes off your bobbing head as you turned around. His brow furrowed. The table was clean. Kozume looked around the cafe, noticing the lack of dust and stains.
He didn't see you drop off a cup of coffee at a table, or walk his way until you were right in front of him.
"Hi, what can I get you?"
He jumped in his seat, causing his bobbed hair to billow out for a moment. Oh no, the look in your eyes immediately told him that you could see his rosy cheeks. He coughed. "Black coffee, please."
Your smile was perfect.
"Hey, Kenma!" An unlikely saviour with black spikey hair appeared from the doorway. Kuroo strode over and waved you down as he slid into the seat across from Kozume. "Ah you got a scratch," he hissed, immediately putting pieces together in his head. His head turned your way. "Do you mind getting me a coffee too, (L/N)?"
Kozume's eyes followed you as you placed your pen and notepad back into your pocket and walked toward the counter.
"(L/N)'s new, just started yesterday and all the regulars love the new energy already. So tell me, what happened?"
Kozume sighed, looking down at his hands. "More keep coming. One disappears and another shows up. I'm too tired for this."
Despite his vague tone, Kuroo knew what Kozume was talking about and sighed immediately. He leaned back in his chair. "I'll be able to help you out soon enough, (L/N) has gotten a good hand on things, but I don't want to leave them alone in the shop too suddenly. You understand."
Kozume did understand. You, the human behind the counter, were a breath of fresh air in the musty town. You didn't know, you couldn't have. The demeanour of someone in the know in this neighbourhood wasn't that positive. He knew that he wouldn't get any help until you knew of the cafe's main purpose.
"Take your time, I can handle it for how." Kozume yawned and gestured to his marred cheek. "This guy might be a pain to deal with though."
Just as he finished speaking the TV that hung above his head began to rattle on about destruction occurring at their neighbourhood's port.
Kuroo winced. "That's a pain, all right."
Two white cups of black coffee hit the table's surface. Kuroo thanked you as you stood straight and reached into your apron's pocket. Next to Kozume's mug, you placed a large band-aid as you ripped open a disinfectant wipe. "May I?"
He nodded and let your fingers gently turn his chin in your direction. The wipe glided smoothly over his cheek but stung. He hissed and pulled his head back.
"Sorry, it'll be over in a second, I'll be quick. Can I finish?"
Kuroo stayed silent as he watched Kozume get cared for by his employee, only speaking when the barista left the younger ghoul's side with a kind smile. "You're blushing."
"I will kick your ass," Kozume sneered before lifting his mug up to his lips for a quick sip. "Why'd you hire a human anyway?"
Kuroo mirrored his friend's actions and drank some of his well-brewed coffee. "They don't hold any ill will toward Ghouls if that's what you're wondering, maybe a bit scared. But (L/N) is very kind."
Kosume continued to yawn through their conversation, occasionally looking your way, only to immediately turn his head as soon as there was a chance of you catching his stare. He didn't realize how long it went on until he heard your footsteps heading for the exit.
Kuroo twisted, resting his arm over the back of the chair to face you putting on your coat. "Walk home safe!"
"Will do!" Your smile glittered before you pushed the door open and walked through.
Kozume's eyes continued to follow you through the glass until you turned out of sight.
"Do they live far from here?" he asked Kuroo, questioning his warning.
Kuroo slapped his hand on the table twice, gathering the energy to rise to his feet. He grabbed the long since empty mugs, whose stray coffee had begun to dry on the sides. "Only a 5-minute walk. But (L/N) has to walk through alleyways to save time, and well, even during the day, you can't be too concerned for one's safety."
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"Ah, Kozume! Black coffee again? Would you like some food with that?"
Kozume's stomach churned at the thought of putting something other than coffee into his system. "I'm alright, just the coffee is fine. Thanks." Hands stuffed in his pockets, he walked to his corner. "And Kenma is fine."
"Then, please, call me (Y/N)."
The cafe smelled cleaner than the weeks prior. Cleaning solution seems to sit right under Kozume's nose and punch him every time he breathed. Taking his seat, he immediately noticed the lack of smudges on the window.
Kozume tried to give you a kind smile as you set his cup of coffee on the freshly cleaned table. He could feel heat crawl up his neck and settle underneath the skin of his cheeks. He gulped, readying himself to separate his lips and speak.
"You seem drained, has work been alright?" You beat him to the punch.
"Ah ya, work." He didn't have a job. "It's been alright, just a bit draining because of the night shift. How has school been?"
Kuroo was quick to get you both well acquainted after your first meeting. He carried conversations until Kozume was willing enough to speak for himself. The blond was thankful for that, knowing that if he had been left alone by your side no familiarity would have been built.
"Oh, the usual. I have a few assignments to finish but nothing too overbearing. I did read an interesting article about social relations and hierarchy of ghouls in society. It was a bit depressing but educational."
Kozume choked on his coffee, hunching over the table as he lifted a fist to his mouth. Just as the ragged coughs began to subside he felt your hand gently rub his back, sending him into another fit of coughs.
"What's the assignment about?" he asked, settling down.
He noticed the concerned look on your face as you pulled napkins out of your pocket and set them on the table. "Ah well, I'm studying public health and humanities, and my prof told us to choose a disadvantaged group to write about. Yada yada, so on so forth. I chose ghouls."
He gestured for you to sit with one hand, waving at Kuroo with the other as he wiped down the main counter. You smiled and took the seat across from him.
"You believe ghouls are disadvantaged?"
Your brow furrowed, pondering. "Well ya, in some ways. Maybe not in strength and power, but ghouls are rather hated in society don't you think?"
Once again, while preparing to speak, he was cut off by the overhead TV switching audio. Listening to the graphic words coming out of the reporter's mouth, Kozume sighed and raised a hand to push against his temple.
The distressed look on your face made him pause. A pit grew in his stomach as your concerned face turned to Kuroo, who was calling you back to your station. You were quick to bring back your smile. "Enjoy the coffee, and rest when you can."
Kozume returned your smile meekly but was focused on the grotesque details the reporter listed, unable to stop himself from imagining you, defenceless, in that sort of danger. He couldn't stomach the coffee.
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"(Y/N), I really don't think I should leave you here alone after dark."
You sighed, looking to your boss with an unimpressed smirk. Kuroo squinted, lips pursing as he watched your knowing smirk turn humorous.
"Testu, don't you have work to do at night? My walk home may be a lot safer, if you get to that, no?"
Kuroo cursed, punching the wooden counter with a dull bumping sound. He groaned. "How did you know?"
You laughed, shifting the position of your hands on the wooden poll and continuing to sweep the floor of the empty cafe. "I study! It may not be so obvious but don't you think I'd pick up on you being a ghoul after a few weeks?"
"I mean maybe, but I was hoping you didn't know!"
A light scoff shot off your tongue and through your teeth. "I would think you'd be relieved, now you don't have to be so cautious around me."
Kuroo picked up the washcloth he had been holding earlier off the counter and began to wipe the wooden surface down again. "No harm in caution. Even if you do know."
"Ya, ya, just don't show me a severed limb. I can't do gore."
Kuroo laughed and tossed the damp towel onto the edge of the metal sink. His arms shifted to his back to aunty the black apron around his waist. "Are you sure you're okay here alone?"
The TV's sound changed to the news' intro tune as you grabbed the remote and turned it off. You gave the ghoul a warm smile. "I can handle it. Go go."
The sun was already over the horizon by the time you were ready to leave. You stood on the inside of the door, punching in the pin code to the security lock. It beeped, giving you the warning to leave and lock the door. Once done, you pulled your sweater a little tighter on your shoulders and shoved your hands in the pockets.
You focused on the sound of your rubber souls stepping on the concrete and the occasional tick of a pebble getting kicked. Street lights flickered, or at least the ones that were working did. Walking upon a burnt out light, you took the marker to turn down the neighbouring alleyway.
Two steps in was all it took before you lifted the collar of your weather over your nose. The putrid smell wafted your way from the dumpster. "Ugh, it's not garbage day tomorrow is it?" Setting closer towards the opposite wall, you help your breath and face forward. Until the burnt-out light flickered on.
You halted, head frozen forward as you looked out of the corner of your eye. Immediately your stomach churned and your throat began to pulse uncomfortably.
First, you noticed the pool of dark red blood that was slowly growing, nearing your shoes. Then it was pieces of loose skin and grey hair, stained as they floated in their puddle. Your heart seized at the sight of a ragged plaid jacket that was recklessly torn. You searched higher.
A single red iris surrounded by a black gloss stared at your profile. The rest was obscured by pin-straight greasy hair except for a large, inhuman smirk that showed off shark-like teeth covered in blood.
You cautiously removed your hands from your pockets, watching the poorly dressed skeletal like figure's hunch move up and down as he breathed.
One beat.
You saw his claw-like fingers hold the wrinkly hand of the severed arm like a possessed lover. Your foot shifted.
Two beats.
The ghoul's head tilted, revealing a tube-like pound of pink flesh hanging from his fangs. You gulped.
Three beats.
You ran.
Pulse already off the hertz, you sprinted with all your might to the flickering light at the other end of the alley. A stupid move, but taking the time to turn around wasn't an option. Each step sent a jolt into your stomach. Your footsteps were much louder than before, but your blood was drowning it out. The lamp was so much slower now.
You froze suddenly. Stopped by a tug on your arm. Vertigo suddenly hit and the lamp was pulled further away. Then you recalled the tug, and noticed the increased pulsing in your arm, then felt your sweater become sticky and heavy. You looked to the side and down.
Were bones supposed to stick out like that?
You hardly registered it's presence before the spike-like bone was torn from your limb, sending you into another fit of screams.
The light at the end of the alley flickered again, before going completely dark.
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
His heart raced, blood pumping through his ears like crazy.
"Calm down Kenma! You can't go crazy like this!"
"I have every right! You heard that scream, didn't you? It was (Y/N)!"
The blonde's kagune went wild, thrashing about and nearly knocking Kuroo over in the process. Said ghoul didn't flinch, only brushing away the agitated organ with a push of his own.
"I know, but you have to—"
He was off, launching into the air and onto the rooftops, following the smell of your spilt blood before Kuroo could finish his sentence. The black-haired man swore, quickly following suit.
The sight was expected, horrifying, but not surprising.
Whoever's intestines were falling out of the ghoul's mouth, Kozume couldn't tell, but he wasn't gonna let the ghoul he had been hunting get another chance to make a meal out of your body if he could help it.
"GET OFF!"
Something cracked as the long-haired ghoul's body flew off yours, smashing against the brick wall of the alley. Kozumes sharp-pointed kagune pinned him through the stomach to the cracking brick.
He only gave you a glance. The sight made his stomach churn as if he were trying to eat a regular meal. Torn skin, visible bone, and blood everywhere. He wanted to vomit.
Behind him he could hear Kuroo's feet land in the massive pool of blood, making it splash slightly. Their clothes would have to be trashed later.
Kozume gritted his teeth. Despite his boiling rage at you being injured, he managed to hold off his brutal assault against the bloodied ghoul until he heard Kuroo zip away with you in his arms.
Even in your current state, you'd be safer away from the scene.
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"I don't think (Y/N) is going to be able to work for a while."
"Some of the regulars are spooked, but relieved."
Whatever was holding your arm like a boa constrictor was making sleep really hard. You groaned. Why did your stomach hurt?
"Ah, look who's up." Kuroo's voice was as teasing as always.
Your sight was blurry when you finally came to. The first thing you noticed was the aggressive pulsing in your arm and stomach followed by a warm hand on your shoulder. You tried to shift.
"Ah stupid, don't do that." Kozume's voice, despite a slight rasp, was as gentle as ever.
You sighed and squinted towards Kuroo who stood at the end of — what you were quick to realize— was your hospital bed. His arms were crossed and the smirk he wore was humorous. "Kuroo, if you say a single word, I will gladly risk further injury to fight you."
Kenma shut his eyes and rubbed your shoulder before reaching for a hot mug from your bedside table. Kuroo walked around to the opposite side to help you sit up. You watch a thick red sweater fall off your shoulders and onto your lap, in front of your bandaged stomach.
Kenma spoke quietly, "Your sweater was torn to pieces."
"Like my body?" you joked, only to get a sour look from the man in return. "Sorry."
He sighed again and handed you the steaming mug. "Here, drink this. You need food."
Kuroo walked back to the end of the bed, letting Kozume take care of you from then on.
"Coffee is considered a food now?"
Kuroo let out a short chuckle, making you tilt your brow in his direction. Kozume coughed, placing the mug down quickly to lift his red sweater off of your lap. He draped it back onto your chest, tucking it between your shoulders and pillow, then slowly guiding your arms through the sleeves.
You rubbed your hands together for warmth as Kozume offered you the hot mug again. You took it, thanking him with a shining smile. You once again failed to notice the rosiness of his cheeks, even if Kuroo didn't.
"You won't be able to stomach anything else, sorry."
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
Why did this take me so long to write.... Oh well. -Bacon
Posted: 14/02/2021