After returning from your break, the days spent with Leon began to blur together, your interactions slowly becoming more natural, more familiar. Initially, he was a mystery—an intriguing subject to study and care for. But over the weeks, you began to notice subtle changes in his behavior around you. The merman, who had once seemed distant and otherworldly, started to show signs of something like affection—curious, almost innocent gestures that left you quietly stunned.

With Luis out sick, nursing a cold, the responsibility of Leon’s check-ups fell solely on you. Today, like most days, you found yourself in the small, sterile medical room conducting another routine examination rather than in the aquarium. Leon sat calmly in the center, his long, blue-scaled tail draped over the edge of the bench, his gills fluttering softly as they adjusted to the dry air. His gaze followed you as you moved through your usual procedures—checking vitals, making observations.

As you scribbled notes on your clipboard, detailing his current condition, you felt something—a light, unexpected touch. You froze, your heart skipping a beat. Slowly, you realized it was Leon. His clawed hand, with its dark blue tips, gently ruffled your hair, an almost playful gesture filled with curious intent.

Your pulse quickened as you stood still, caught off guard and unsure of how to respond to the affectionate action. His touch wasn’t threatening, just... gentle...

He lingered for a moment longer, his expression softening, his lips curling into a small, amused smile. His head tilted slightly, his blond hair falling over his blue eyes, clearly entertained by your reaction.