One-Shots♛ || Tokyo Ghoul x Reader ||

Acrophobia [F] || Haise Sasaki ||

a/n: the fear of heights.

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     A tight grip held you by the throat, only letting a little bit of air travel into your system, though it was barely enough. You wanted the ghoul to release his grasp on you, but at the same time, you didn't want to. This monster was the only thing keeping you from falling off the edge of the skyscraper building, yet you wondered, would you die from the fall or die from lack of oxygen? Your eyes shut closed tightly at the thought, not knowing which could be even worse. The ghoul in front of you cackled evilly and kept muttering dark things like "I can't wait to see your pretty little organs splattered all over the pavement" and "I also can't wait to devour your body after it hits that ground".

You gasped once more as tears escaped your shut eyes, remembering how you got to this situation. You were a part of the CCG and was fighting along side Haise Sasaki, who was a rank above you, but during the fight, Haise had got caught up with another ghoul, unable to make his way to save you since that particular ghoul wouldn't let him pass. You tried to defend yourself with your quinque, but this ghoul easily tossed it off the roof of the building, falling down to the city below.

So here you were, in this monster's grasp, ready to kill you in a gruesome way. Your eyes slowly opened to make eye contact with the horrid man, his red and black pupils wide and hungry. You had your hands clawing at his wrist and arm, but it had no effect.

"It's cute the way you stupid humans struggle. I live to see this," he sadistically licked his lips and his grasp on your neck loosened, his finger tips slowly releasing you. Your eyes widen in fear as you gasped again for air, but more in shock and fright. You could hear the man's crazed laughter as you felt yourself falling backwards. It felt like everything around you slowed down for just a couple moments, even feeling your heartbeat slow down too perhaps.

The panic in your brain made you shut your eyes tight and the fear in your heart had you releasing small tears that escaped from the corner of your eyes once again. The air around you was rushing fast and brushing against your skin and clothes roughly, your hair tousled around everywhere, but suddenly you felt the air stop rushing around you. You inhale deeply and hesitantly open your eyes again to see Haise; his eyes wide while looking at you, his chest heaving up and down, his cheek and shirt stained with fresh blood (that was not his own), and one kagune wrapped around your waist while the other kagune held the edge of the roof, keeping Haise and you from falling further.

"I-I.. I guess you could say I'll catch you every time you fall for me," he chuckles, nervously at that due to the panic in his emotions.

"H-H-Haise!," your voice hoarse from fear,"Now isn't the time please! Any time, but this!"

The man only responds back with another chuckle, less nervousness this time, and his kagune swiftly puts you both back onto the roof. After putting you down and removing his kagune from sight, you shakily rush towards him and hug him tightly. "I.. I'm so sorry that I'm so weak," you apologize with a quivering voice. Your entire body is shaking and he could definitely feel it. Haise smiles softly and wraps his arms around you gently, his hand patting your head. "You know that you aren't weak. This wouldn't have happened if I just kept a keen eye on you," he chuckles as he pulls away from you, just enough to see your face. Tears were running down your flushed cheeks and now you were panting, not sure how to feel after having to experience almost falling from a skyscraper. Haise shakes his head, giving you a warming smile,"Let's get cleaned up at your place, alright?"

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     At your apartment, Haise got out of the shower, fresh from scratches and blood. He was rubbing a towel against his two-toned hair as he walked around your apartment, searching for you. His gray eyes land on you who was sitting on the couch in the living room, knees against your chest as you hugged at your legs. Your head was held down, but you immediately looked up when Haise called out your name. Giving you a sweet smile, he sits himself next to you and puts the towel aside. "Are you feeling alright? I know what happened earlier was scary, but you know I'm always there to protect you."

You only shake your head and hug your knees closer to you, your eyes adverting from his face and to another direction. "I just... Have a terrible fear of heights. And.. Falling from such a big height was really terrifying. My heart was beating so fast, but it also felt like it was slow. I don't know...," you trail off quietly.

"Ahh.. I didn't know you had a fear of heights, I'm sorry," he pouts at you, which was also evident in his voice as well, but continues,"Hmm.. How about we sit outside on the balcony? I know you don't like heights, but I'll be there this time. I have something to tell you."

When you turn your head to look at him, he had that same sweet smile that graced his lips. You watch him as he stands up from the couch and offers a hand to you, which you give him a confused look, but gladly take the offer. He helps you up from the couch and leads you to the balcony that connects to your room, sitting on a small coffee table that was placed out there and gesturing you to the small chair across from the table. You shakily reached and gripped the railing next to the chair with your free hand and sat down across from Haise, not taking your gaze off of him.

Haise sighs softly, looking off into the sky. The sun was setting and the sky was a soft mixture of orange and pink. For a second, he looks scared, but it wiped away as he smiled once again. His eyes looked upon the setting sun then slowly he looked back at you. "You're... Afraid of falling down, right?," he asks. You only nod.

He chuckles,"Well.. I'm afraid of falling up. Towards the night sky." Haise looks back towards the sky again. "I'm afraid... Of falling into that void. That dark, dark abyss. The second I look up into it, I sort of panic.. It's kind just like falling into a large hole with a bottomless pit and there's nothing to grasp. I feel like I could just fall up at any moment and never come back down."

Another sigh leaves Haise's lips and looks over at you once again, with soft eyes. He extends and offers a hand. "I'm afraid of falling up.. And you're afraid of falling down.. So... Maybe if we hold each other, we'd wouldn't be falling up or down at all.. Right? You lean on me and I'll lean on you."

You laugh gently as you smiled, tears falling from your eyes again as you take his hand, squeezing it tightly. "That sounds like a great idea."

Haise smiles widely at hearing your laugh and gently squeezes your hand back, moving himself so he sits next to you in the seat. You blush at the closeness, but both of you watched at the sky transitioning into a dark night sky with a full moon and bright stars to accompany it. You smile more shyly as you feel Haise place a gentle kiss onto your head, his hand still holding yours tightly.

"Please don't ever let go."