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This was probably the best purchase Rinne has ever made. He stares at the plush object innocently staring back at him from its home in an open cardboard box. The nui plushie of Niki had the widest doe eyes imaginable, reminiscent of how his boyfriend used to look when he was younger. It was the perfect size too, not small enough to be easily crushed but not massive like those gigantic Sanrio plushies Niki begged Rinne to buy.
The nui also looked like it had not a single thought behind its eyes, adding to it's stupidly adorable charm. Rinne could see why their fans froth at the mouth when these things were released. He gingerly takes the nui out of its cardboard prison, smiling as the soft fabric rubs against his skin. "Well, look at ya," Rinne says, admiring the plushie. "Ya look so fucking stupid and adorable at the same time, who comes up with this shit?"
He destroys the cardboard box, taking extra care to mess up the label so it doesn't show what he purchased. He wants the nui to be a surprise, if only because he doesn't want to admit he bought it on a whim when he was missing Niki. Note to self: he should never make any kind of purchases while Niki's doing idol work. At least he used his own money this time instead of stealing Niki's.
"Now, what to do with ya?" Rinne asks Nui Niki, holding the plushie at face level as if it were the real one. Big, dumb eyes stare back at him, making it impossible for him to keep a serious face. "Too cute.." he mutters, plopping the doll on top of his head and carefully heading to the couch. He leans into the armrest when he lies down, stretching his legs so they touch the other side and tucking Nui Niki into his side. There was some time to kill before Niki came home, he could probably finish a movie until then.
Flipping through different channels, Rinne's eyes constantly flickered down to where Nui Niki comfortably sat. Ok, maybe he was missing Niki a lot right now. No offense to Nui Niki, but he kind of misses the Niki that could bicker with him while they cuddle. Finding a movie that he could semi get into, Rinne adjusts his position and holds Nui Niki tighter. "Guess the real Niki would never be this compliant. He'd be bitching and moaning 'bout how he could be cooking right now. And ya fit right in my arms~"
Nui Niki doesn't talk back, and Rinne's slightly relieved it doesn't because wow that'd be awkward. Half listening to the movie by this point, Rinne can feel his eyes begin to close on their own. "A nap wouldn't be so bad." he figures as he gets comfortable in his spot, Nui Niki becoming pressed against his face in the process.
———
"Rinne, I'm home!" Niki gleefully announces as he opens the door to their apartment. Today was definitely the best day he's had in a while. All the interviews went well, his shift at the cafe was blissfully uninterrupted, and he finally got to make sweets with HiMERU, Mr. "No one will know any personal information about me". All in all, a successful day.
A part of him did miss Rinne's constant presence and casual touches throughout the day, but there were definitely some perks of being alone. Still, Niki misses his boyfriend and is ready for some long overdue cuddles. As he locks the door and kicks his shoes off, Niki eyes the suspiciously silent hallway. Rinne's usually yelling about how cruel Niki was to leave him alone all day by now. Did he make a mess of the kitchen again and is hiding?
"Rinne! Did you go out gambling again?" Niki asks the air, wondering if his boyfriend really did leave to gamble. He usually texts Niki in advance, but his phone was also suspiciously devoid of messages from him. Was he in serious trouble and couldn't reach Niki? What if he was hurt, or got into trouble gambling, or drank too much, or—
A loud snore interrupts his spiraling thoughts. Sighing in relief, Niki finds Rinne sleeping soundly on the couch. The tv was playing some random movie in the background, the volume so low that Niki could barely hear it despite being in the same room. "God, you love giving me heart attacks, don't you?" Niki smiles, fondly watching his sleepy boyfriend. He's about to grab the remote and turn off the tv when something catches his eye.
Trapped in Rinne's tight embrace is a small plushie of him, iconic gray hair in a ponytail that's currently getting smushed. Big eyes stare back at him as Rinne mutters something in his sleep and leans into it. This... This was too much for Niki's weak little heart. Holding back a squeal, Niki pulls his phone out of his pocket and snaps a picture. Ok, maybe five of them. He can't help it! This'll be his home screen for months.
Putting his phone away and turning off the tv, he leans down to kiss Rinne's cheek. "Hey," he whispers as he kneels next to the couch. "No way is that thing a better cuddler than me."
Rinne mumbles something incoherent as he slowly comes to, his grip on Nui Niki loosening slightly as he blindly reaches for Niki. Niki helps him by lying down on the couch, making it easier for Rinne to wrap an arm around his waist and pull him closer. Their lips press together for a quick kiss as Rinne opens his eyes. "Hey, honeybee." he whispers back, his eyes full of nothing but love. Nui Niki sits pressed against them, its head pressed into Niki's chin as he tries to tilt his head in a way that's comfortable. Rinne has the audacity to laugh at him before pulling Nui Niki out and placing him on the arm of the couch.
"That's new." Niki comments.
"Yeah," Rinne agrees, using the new space between them to lean into Niki, resting his head on his shoulder. "Best thing I ever bought for $20 but," he kisses Niki's neck, "nothing compares to the real thing."