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[ The text arrives just after midnight on the thirty-first. Rukia has a habit of staying up late, using her insomnia to browse around her device, and add to her ever-expanding research on this world. So, it was no trouble sending something so late, she only hoped that Renji was awake as well. Not like she'd been patiently waiting to send this at the opportune moment or anything... ]

If time works the same way it does in our world, which it appears to, then. Happy birthday, Renji.

Edited 2020-08-31 14:58 (UTC)

[ Renji is also on his device and indulging in his habit of staying up late. Although he's not doing research as much as playing one of those mobile games that are all the rage around here. Which, if pressed, he would defend as "cultural research" and "keeping his reflexes sharp" and "I can stop any time I want to leave me alone".

The notification dings right in the middle of a song he's trying to 100%, throwing him off his perfect streak. It annoys him for the half-second before he sees the sender. With a swipe of his finger, he closes out the game to read the message a second time. He's missed this more than he can say, hearing her voice with just the words on the screen, her prim tone wrapping warm sentiment. The dim light of his device illuminates the soft smile on his face as he reads it a third time. ]

Thanks

[ Although... As grateful as he is, it doesn't escape him that it's just past midnight. And, obviously, he's not going to let her escape without some light teasing. ]

You set a timer for that?

[ Not until his message pops up does Rukia realize she's been hovering over her device, waiting for the alert. Then, she loosens up her posture, looking around as if someone might have caught her acting anything less than a Kuchiki. (Which has been happening more and more these days, and especially around Renji, considering recent... events.) ]

Don't get too excited. I have a good memory.

[ It's just as true as her watching the clock, but he doesn't need to know that. ]

Edited 2020-09-01 00:27 (UTC)

[ It's a bit too late to tell Renji to not get too excited. He's already seven re-reads into her birthday message and refreshing their conversation every three seconds until she sends her reply. There's that reserved tone of hers again, dismissive and almost aloof without context. But he knows Rukia a little better than that. ]

Must have a pretty good clock too

[ Renji could press her a little bit more, ask her if she stayed up just to wish him happy birthday or if she's got any recommendations for a good alarm app. But he lets his other oh so clever jokes slide for once. He's feeling magnanimous, which is his present for everyone else today. ]

That eager to remind me I'm gettin old huh

[ ...Okay that's the last of his oh so clever jokes. ]

[ Rukia curses Renji through her screen for that comment; she would have to get him back before he decides to use this against her for weeks to come. (He probably still will...)

However, his second text, she can't deny that. ]

I'll always be eager to remind you of that.

[ Getting old was actually luxury, especially considering their life all those years ago in Inuzuri. Getting to where they are today (though their current predicament is questionable) is an accomplishment, and it is something to celebrate. I'm glad you're old, she almost thinks to write back, but second guesses it instead. ]

That so

[ Rukia doesn't need to be anywhere near him to hear the soft sigh in his voice. The sincere meaning behind her words isn't lost on him. Where they're from, life was a luxury none could afford. They didn't celebrate birthdays. They dug their own graves. Another year older meant nothing more than another year of survival, another year of carving out a place in the world to exist.

But he wasn't just surviving anymore. He was, as he said, getting old. Time wasn't something that he had to steal anymore and more a thing that happened to him. Like everybody else. And sometimes it's nice to have someone remind him of that. ]

You better set an alarm every year for the next ten thousand years then

I'mma get so old you're gonna get sick of tellin me

Ten thousand years, huh? Then you better start being nicer to me.

[ It's a nice sentiment, though part of Rukia wants to ask—hope—that those years will be spent back home, in the Soul Society. Often she's reminded Renji (at least this one, here) has spent years away, unlike her; it was only weeks ago they were leaving on a mission together.

She knows now isn't the time to bring that up, especially not wanting to sour anything on this birthday. She reads his message again—maybe it wouldn't be so bad, if he was by her side.

However, re-reading his message also makes her realize— ]

I didn't set an alarm! >:(

[ The reply draws a soft expression to Renji's face. He might be embarrassed at the depth of emotion he was showing if he was aware of it, but it seemed like such a natural thought. That Rukia would be part of his life for ten thousand years or more. Someone he held so tightly to his chest, he didn't even think of letting go anymore. ]

I got ten thousand years
Why start now?

[ Completely glossing over her protests says paragraphs more than another "yeah sure" possibly could. ]

Only if you want me to stick around that long, idiot.

[ And she will, of course she will. In some ways, Rukia really believes she has no choice in the matter. If she says any more that could reveal that, then she might get herself in trouble. ]

At least this year, I will. So make it a good one.

Heh
I'll do my best

[ Which, really, is the only thing Renji knows how to do. ]

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