#❝ 𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘 ― all these little things seem to matter so much ( rhyme & rindo ) ✩

[hackereaped]

IT'S THE TAIL END OF the night when rindo finally arrives on the bito's doorstep. he's breathless, shivering, his lungs screaming against the winter chill and his legs threatening to give out at any moment, but somehow, against all odds ( gift indecision, a late train, et cetera, et cetera . . . ), he's here— doubled over and exhausted, maybe, but here. ❝ i made it, ❞ rindo wheezes, meeting rhyme's gaze with a weak, apologetic sort of smile. lifting a hand from where it rests above his knee, he offers them an unassuming gift bag stuffed with an even more unassuming gift :

a scarf.

it's simple, soft, made of white wool that sunsets into a comforting shade of orange. it's got enough fabric to loop around once, maybe twice, and stitched to the ends of it are a pair of fuzzy white puffballs that rindo had to keep himself from pressing his cheek against in the middle of the boutique. it's nothing ritzy or glamorous, but it feels like rhyme. it feels like their presence in the crook of his hoodie from weeks spent once upon a time ago. it feels like their gentle voice coaxing him through moments of vulnerability and doubt as recently as a couple days prior. it feels like a hint of playfulness and a friendly face and something good and pure and trusted. it feels like everything rhyme is, everything rhyme has given and, more importantly, it feels like everything rhyme deserves. softness, comfort, warmth, they deserve that, too, and even if it's only in this very small and very literal way right now, rindo hopes he can give them that.

❝ i know it's almost late, ❞ he finally apologizes, ❝ but happy birthday, rhyme. ❞

he wouldn't miss it for the world.

@wickedreplay ➜ submitted!

It’s late and Rhyme’s very much assisting with cleaning around the living room with the remains of what Beat had prepared for their special day. Trash being tossed into the bag, gifts being set neatly upon the coffee table for them to take to their room when the time would come. And just when they felt that everything had come to an end, there’s a weak knock at the door which manages to catch her attention. 

“  Who could be so late?  “ 

Double checking to see if there’s a chance for any missed text messages, no time is wasted before they’re opening the door and see Rindo in the pure aftermath of what seemed like a series of unfortunate events. A light gasp, then shifts in movement after seeing the gift bag. 

“  Five minutes before my birthday is over, you made it, it counts.  “ 

Encouragement in their voice followed by reaching for their hand to invite him inside. It’s warmer in there compared to what he’s clearly been through after all.

Only once the door would close behind him would she finally look at the gift inside. Smile never fading, taking the gift out while fingers test the softness of fabric and gaze locks against the pattern in what can only be described as pure admiration. 

“  You know, I was talking with Beat the other day about how I was long overdue for a new scarf, how did you know?  “ 

Wrapping it around their neck, Rhyme’s fingers follow the bit that drops down to chest before returning their gaze to Rindo. Happy to see he’s alright more than anything.  “ I can make some hot chocolate or tea, if you’re interested in something to help warm you up.  “  Rhyme insists but not before there’s a light lunge towards him, arms flinging around in the form of a hug and can feel the way his body is trying to warm up from before. It doesn’t matter how cold he might still feel to the touch, Rhyme’s still going to hug him. 

“  Thank you, Rindo, this means so much to me.  “

[hackereaped]

also 🔥 + ✨ two for one special lets goooo

@wickedreplay ➜ submitted! (  fluff interactions  )

          The stars were always the prettiest during nights like the very night they decided to meet up. It’s a rare moment where they’re able to stay out a bit later, able to just....be free and enjoy the company of friends. Friends. It’s still a nice thought to think about. Rhyme didn’t have many actual friends. First was Neku and Shiki.....and now there’s the others from the Twisters. Now Rhyme had people like Rindo in their life and it truly made waking up in the day more worth it. 

He must have taken notice to the way their arms wrap around their body to try and maintain heat. Hands rubbing over despite their coat being on and it still didn’t feel like enough. There’s a light here that they manage to overhear before noticing he’s wrapping an arm around her shoulder and draping the blanket around before doing the same for him. Rhyme scoots in closer, wanting to make sure both now had enough room with sharing the blanket. 

“ Did you know that constellation over there represents dreaming? “

Rhyme takes their fingers and begins shaping out the design, one star connected to the next. Until they’ve fully mapped it out and tuck right back into the blanket when a cool breeze hits their skin. 

“ Do you have a favorite star? “ An innocent question while blue eyes become captivated by the night fallen sky. If one knew better, they’d be able to see that Rhyme’s eyes almost match the very things they’re currently gazing at together. Stars always were something that could bring them peace.