“What’s the matter, Al?”

A young man with blond hair blinked, returning to his senses. He removed his fingers from one of the bull horns jutting out of his head while his tail swished. Glancing back, he saw a merman with long, blue hair approaching him in a wheelchair.

Sighing, Al leaned back into the chair, staring at the starry night beyond his balcony. “Just feeling stuck for today’s NaNoWriMo entry. I wanted to finish this in an hour, but half an hour has passed, and I still have no clue what to write.”

“You could watch the vtuber stream that’s about to start in 30 minutes together with me.” The merman grinned, arriving beside Al’s chair. “Anyone will feel inspired after watching Lily perform.”

“I’ll pass. I doubt I’ll ever develop an interest in them, Cass,” The blonde glanced at his partner’s shirt. “You bought another one? Didn’t I tell you we should be saving up?”

“It was a limited edition, okay?” Cass pouted, pulling his shirt gently and staring at the image of the adorable figure with a white lily on her head. “It’ll just refrain from eating out this week.”

“No, you won’t.” Al rolled his eyes with a faint grin. “Anyway, are you occupied tonight again?”

“The stream won’t last long tonight. It should be over by the time you finish your piece.” Leaning toward the blonde, the merman hugged, pecking the former’s cheek. “Want a suggestion?”

“No, not really.” Al sighed. “I don’t think the theme’s a problem. I’m just not feeling it today, I guess. I woke up late today and had a shitty morning, so I’m practically out of creative juice after work.”

“Oh, you poor boy.” Suddenly, Cass was struck with an idea, and he turned his back to his partner. “How about braiding my hair again? Mayhaps you’ll gain inspiration while taking your mind off from your empty document.”

“Eh, why not.” Peeling his eyes from his laptop’s screen, Al spun to his right on his stool. He laid his arms on the merman’s shoulders first before gently cupping the latter’s cheeks and grinning. “Your skin’s always so smooth.”

“It’s achievable for you, too, you know.” Cass rubbed his hand on the back of his partners’. “Just need to wash your face every day, like you should be.”

“I’m too lazy for that.” The blonde scratched the spot under his right horn and lifted his hands, his fingers combing through the blue, silky hair. A moment later, he pulled back his partner’s long hair gently before started braiding it. “So, how are you today?”

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“Pretty good. Spotted a gal at the supermarket earlier that made me question my arospec-ness for a moment. Just a moment, though. She’s nice. Helped me grab a can of tuna on the shelf.” As Cass spoke, he closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

“Oh? Perhaps she’ll be the girlfriend we’ve been waiting for. We’ll finally have the polycule relationship we’ve always wanted.” Al grinned, holding the hair he was braiding in one hand and playing a relaxing tune on his laptop with another.

“Slow down, you horn dog.” Smirking, Cass gently patted his partner’s leg. “We’ll see if she turns out to be a suitable candidate, but don’t get your hopes up as always.”

One simple braid was done, and the blonde moved on to the next. “Says the guy who’s lamenting about wanting a girlfriend to chat with last week.”

“A girl’s talk is different from a guy’s talk, okay? I’d know.”

“Are you saying I’m not good enough?” Al lifted his eyebrow.

“You said it, not me.” Folding his arms, the merman flapped his tail for a moment. “Anyway, she seems to recognize my shirt, considering she asked about it.”

“She’s also a vtuber fan, then?”

“Who knows? Maybe she only asks because Lily-chan is just so gosh darn adorable.”

“Hmm.” Al twirled his finger and completed another braid. “Anything else?”

“A satyr called me handsome today and gave me his number.” Cass chuckled.

“Of course you are, you sexy merman.” Leaning down, the blonde kissed his partner on the cheek before sitting straight again. “How did you respond?”

“I said thanks and awkwardly wheeled myself away because he’s an important client I have to deal with for the next two weeks.”

“Oof.” Al winced. “Why didn’t you bring this up first instead of the lady?”

“Cuz the lady came to mind first. Besides, I don’t need to speak to the client until a week later, thankfully.” Lifting his head, Cass opened his eyes and stared at his partner.

Grinning, the blonde stared into the merman’s eyes. “What?”

The blue-haired man smirked and lowered his head wordlessly. Then, he asked, “So, have you gotten any ideas for today’s entry yet?”

“I think I do, yeah.”

“Told you braiding my hair will help.”

“I don’t think that’s the source of my inspiration.” Al chuckled, ready to plant another kiss on his partner’s countenance.

However, Cass raised his hand and gently pressed his finger on the blonde’s lips. “My cheek’s plenty wet already.”

“You’re no fun.” Pouting, Al settled his hands down on his lap.

“I’ll let you carry me into my tub today,” said the merman, winking.

“Oh, do you mean…?” Al stood, his tail swishing vigorously.

“Don’t expect much, now. I don’t want to miss the stream. Let’s go.”

“Aye, Cap’n.” Beaming, the blonde slowly pushed his partner into the living room and toward the latter’s room.