The days flew by as Damon prepared himself for his first art show. He'd gotten a lot of help from Harrier and his art friends on how to organize it, having already gone to see the venue and made a mental note of where he wanted every individual painting. Harrier had remarked that he felt Damon was taking this a little too seriously but he smelled money in the air and knew better than to interfere with an artist at work. Damon had repainted all of his portraits he was keeping in the studio with new abstract backgrounds, some completely ridiculous and almost Dali-esque. He had been working himself to the bone since Tuesday, having completely exhausted all his will to paint for a little while. It didn't help that he was frustrating himself seemingly on purpose by constantly trying to re-paint the picture he had painted of Esther. However he tried, he simply could not capture his likeness again without having his face in front of him. He wondered if it was his lack of artistic ability or if Esther really was just completely uncapturable on canvas, their fateful meeting having been a mere fluke of artistic ability.
Damon was dreaming about him as he slept, he was half asleep tossing and turning in his bed unable to discern exactly what he was dreaming about. He was sure he could faintly make out the figure of Esther, he was having a hard time piecing his whole face together in his mind. He was angry at himself being unable to fully remember every inch of the man that had completely encapsulated his mind for the past week. He felt as if he could hear him whisper to him as he slept, promising him to see him again soon. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but he could swear he felt his cheek being gently kissed before getting gingerly stroked by the soft hand he recognized as Esther's. Damon opened his eyes, hoping Esther would be waiting for him. As he rose from the bed and ran his hand through his hair with a deep exhale he thought he could hear the bath running, causing him to worry that perhaps something had broken in the middle of the night and the bathroom would be flooded. He rushes out of bed and quickly dashes to the door and opens it up with a start, being met with a shocked yelp from a familiar voice. "Esther..?" Damon said with some confusion, he was not expecting to see him sitting pretty in his bathtub engaged in a cozy bubble bath and Esther was not expecting Damon to barge in like he had done. "Mon dieu, you gave me a fright! Not familiar with the concept of knocking?" Esther spoke in a teasing voice. "Wha-" Damon blushed, he had realized how improperly dressed he was to be addressing a guest. "This is my studio! I-I should say you're the one barging in on me!" Damon said with a smile that crept up his face, he was nowhere near being mad. "Apologies, I wanted to get an early start to the day and I didn't think you'd mind if I just popped in." Esther said as he reciprocated the smile. Damon couldn't believe how bold his guest was. "Well, of course I don't mind.." he nervously laughed as he looked to the floor and saw a little travel bag that he didn't recognize. It looked as if he was intending on staying.
"Well in that case you can help me freshen up." Esther said as he washed his hair. Damon threw on his bathrobe that he had hanging beside him, stepping closer and kneeling by the side of the bathtub. "Of course, I'd love to help." Damon spoke softly, observing Esther as he cleaned himself. His hairline was perfectly rounded, something Damon noticed as he brushed his hair back, his face still just as ethereal without all the makeup he usually had on. "Could you bring my bag here? I'll help you pick the right things out." Esther said as he gave Damon a look that could command just about anyone to do his bidding. Damon does as he's asked, Esther helping him find the right shampoo and making him wash his hair. "So, it seems you've essentially forced yourself into my apartment, judging from all the items in here you plan to make your stay a little longer than just today, huh?" Damon said as his delicate fingers ran through the silky smooth hair on Esther's head. "Maybe. Anywhere is better than that horrible manor of Harrier's." Esther sighs as he leans into Damon's soft hands. "I hope he isn't mistreating you, I wouldn't stand for that." Damon assured him. "You're sweet." Esther answered with closed eyes and a content smile. "He's not treating me any worse than any of my other renters." he sighed. Damon brought some water from his hands and washed the soft hair thoroughly as they spoke. "If you don't mind me prying, I'd like to know more about that. It doesn't sit well with me." Damon huffed. "I can't tell you everything unless you promise to be completely silent about it, alright?" Esther asks as he opens his eyes and gives Damon a side-eye. "I promise." the artist confirms as he moves on to condition his hair.
