Keva led Dáinn into the room he had nicknamed his art room. As he walked in, what caught his attention first was the windows just opposite the door. Dark blue curtains covered in stars and moons lay limply over the bay windows. The fabric had ripples similar to the vast seas but was as still as a lonely lake’s surface. The blue curtains sheltered the room from the moonlight, softening its brilliance into a delicate painting of shadows and serenity. Gas lamps hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in its warm, soft glow and embracing it in a ballet of its swaying flames, shifting the shadows in their dance. The candlelight created a delicate symphony, guiding the dance of sparks within its flickering flames. 

His gaze started scanning the room. Paintings lined all four walls from the ground up, and another mural depicting swirls of colors was painted upon the ceiling. The only furniture in the room was two dark oak dressers filled with supplies. Drawers were pulled open, and paper and paint were stuffed into the drawers. A few easels were scattered across the room, and only one stood in the center of the room with an unfinished painting sitting upon it. A small side table sat next to it; tubes of paint and brushes cluttered the surface with a glass jar splattered with paint tipped on its side, dripping water onto the ground. It was a mess; paper and empty paint cans scattered the floor, and splashes littered the easels. Colors of oil paints decorated the floor and furniture without caring for the empty canvases lining the walls. More unfinished paintings were hidden among the empty ones, and others had dirty white cloth hanging over them.

Dáinn walked up behind Keva as he started introducing each painting. Dáinn sidestepped around the mess to walk to the painting Keva was discussing. It was a portrait of a woman. Flowers sprouted from the side of her face, and gold strokes outlined her figure while more flowers framed the painting. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a bun held together by a bright ribbon. Her rosy cheeks grew into a soft smile. Her beauty was like no other, and the delicate strokes of the brush made it breathless. 

“Is this a portrait of someone you know?” Dáinn asked absentmindedly. 

Keva turned towards him, “No, well, kinda. I painted it from memory and based it on the image of a woman that I met once at a ball.”

“You must have a pretty good memory then.” His voice faded as his eyes drifted to the next painting. 

Keva’s soft smile mirrored Dáinn’s awe as he followed his gaze to the next painting. Each stroke was a testament to his skill. It was a world of wonder waiting to be explored. Dáinn’s eyes, filled with a mix of curiosity and admiration, meticulously capturing every detail hidden within the strokes. Each one, an oil painting of delicately crafted landscapes, fills his vision. Impressionism was Keva’s main focus, a scene of a sunset setting upon a sea’s surface with swirling clouds hanging high above his head, opening up a world of wonder. The oranges and pinks, scarred across the canvas with an unworldly beauty, added to the painting’s mystique glow. Just below the sunset, a painting framed in gold. A veil of stars were depicted in this painting. He found the beauty in the moons that hung by strings emitting waves of light. They reminded him of the aurora borealis back on Earth, a sight he had always found mesmerizing. 

Keva had long stopped talking about the paintings. He was grinning at Dáinn as he moved from one wall to another. Dáinn’s love for paintings couldn’t be any more apparent. If Keva strained his ears, he could just barely make out Dáinn mumbling to himself about the paintings.   

Other abstract portraits of men and women hung between the landscape paintings, each with unique aspects that made them stand out. A man with butterflies adorning his skin, their delicate wings adding a touch of ethereal beauty. Another with golden cracks spreading across her body, a symbol of vulnerability and strength. ‘They’re beautiful. How does he create such perfect images with oil paints!?’ The corners of his mouth twitched as his thoughts continued to wander. ‘This is the kind of work you’d see as digital art.’

Moving his gaze away from one to the next. They landed on a painting that stood out to him the most. A tall painting of a little girl releasing a snow-colored dove to the skies above. Her soft golden hair cascaded down her back while her emerald eyes glittered in the sunlight. Some familiarity struck him in her well-structured facial features. ‘Must be his sister. He can capture such emotion in his painting. I’m surprised he doesn’t sell them.’ Dáinn mused.

As Keva watched Dáinn roam the room, he couldn't help but wonder if Dáinn had even noticed he’d stopped talking. His gaze lingered on Dáinn’s figure, tracing every curve, until Dáinn suddenly felt a burning sensation on his back. Startled, he turned to find the source of the intense stare, only to watch Keva quickly avert his eyes as his cheeks flushed pink.‘What's gotten into him?’ Dáinn thought, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. Before Dáinn could inquire, Keva flinched, causing Dáinn to turn towards him again. Their eyes met, and Keva’s embarrassment seemed to melt away as a mischievous grin spread across his face. 

‘What the hell is he thinking?’ Dáinn unconsciously backed away. Receiving a dissatisfied expression from Keva. Only for a second later did it change back into a soft smile.     

Keva moved forward, closing the distance between them. “Would you like to learn?” He spoke in a voice soft with affection. 

Dáinn stared at Keva in confusion. “Huh?” his voice lowered to a whisper. Afraid of breaking the silence in the room. It all felt as though he had fallen into a trance. It's serenity whispering tunes of desire. The orange light continued within its cage of glass. Its hue flickered across the paintings as if framing them in all their glory. The light of the flame cast rays of warmth on Keva’s face. The candlelight flickered delicately across ethereal, porcelain-like facial features, creating a scene of unearthly beauty. The soft glow traced the contours of his face with a gentle touch, illuminating each curve and angle on a canvas of smooth, pale skin. Shadows playfully danced around in his eyes, adding depth and intrigue to his gaze, while the warm radiance bathed the skin in a soft, golden hue.

It only occurred to Dáinn actually how beautiful Keva was. It was like he was staring at another painting, but this one wasn’t locked away on a canvas frozen in time. He was alive, breathing in the air around him. Dáinn could feel something growing in his chest, an uncanny feeling. Not one of pain, he was sure, but something he couldn’t understand how to feel. 

Keva’s smile widened and inched closer. “You seem to like my paintings.” His voice lowered to whisper just as he had, but Keva’s eyes were filled with something Dáinn didn’t want to admit was there. “I just thought that maybe you’d like to learn, and I could even teach you.” His hushed voice grew in excitement. “I might not look at it, but I’m a great teacher. I’ve taught my little sister and some friends of mine how to paint.”

Dáinn could feel his heart racing in his chest at Keva’s words. He knew there was something behind Keva’s facade as the employer, something that would shatter their image of a noble and his guard. He couldn’t bring himself to face that truth. He breathed, trying his best to calm the rhythm in his chest. ‘He seems excited about this.’

Dáinn shook his head. “I have no time for something like that.”

Ev pouted his lips. “Aww, come on, it would be fun!” 

Dáinn frowned. ‘For you, maybe it would be. But at the moment, if I stay here any longer, my racing heart might just give me a heart attack.’ He took another deep breath. “No.”

“Fine then!” He huffed, throwing his hands on his hips in a dramatic way. “I’ll make you give in one day.” He added under his breath.

Dáinn scoffed. ‘I’d like to see you try.’ A small smile grew on his lips.

He turned back to the painting, trying to observe the next when the sound of a gasp abruptly made him look back. Keva stood there staring at him, his emerald eyes glittering like a little kid’s, his rosy cheeks growing into a bright smile.

“I can’t believe it!” His words tumbled out of his mouth like rocks.

 Dáinn frowned his brows. ‘What the hell is happening now? This man keeps throwing me off.’

As if in response to his thoughts, Keva spoke. “I made such a cold person smile!”

 Dáinn flinched at his words. His frown deepened as he shook his head. “I did not.”

“Yes, you did~” Keva responded playfully. 

“I did not!”

Keva didn’t even bother replying this time, knowing that Dáinn would never admit to it. Instead, he responded by giggling. 

Dáinn shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks flushing a soft pink. “Why are you laughing?! Stop!” He was almost shouting now.

Keva’s emerald eyes brightened when a thought entered his mind. He giggled once more and moved closer to Dáinn. Dáinn could feel his heart skipping beats each time Keva stepped closer. ‘Wh-what is he doing’ 

As Keva approached, Dáinn retreated until his back met the wall. Their eyes met, Dáinn's gaze locked with Keva’s bright emerald stare, his grin never leaving his face. Keva continued until their faces were mere inches apart. Dáinn had to tilt his head up slightly to meet his gaze properly. He was so close that he could feel the warmth of Keva’s breath against his skin, gently stirring the fine hairs on his face. Keva raised his hands, reaching for Dáinn's face, tenderly cupping it between his palms.

“Yes, you did. There’s no shame in smiling,” Keva beamed, his eyes twinkling like genuine emeralds. 

Dáinn could feel his face burning up. No matter how much he wanted to move away, Keva wouldn’t let him. He was left helplessly struggling between the wall and Keva. His heart beating against his chest.

“Plus, your smile is cute, and I bet the rest of you is too,” He teased.

‘huh???’  Dáinn’s thoughts whirled like a chaotic storm had swept through his mind. What was he supposed to do in this situation?! Keva was so close that Dáinn was afraid Keva would do more. To his relief, Keva only stepped back and laughed. 

With a small glint of disappointment in his eyes, he spoke. “It’s late, so we should get some sleep, don’t you think?” He tilted his head like a puppy. 

Dáinn nodded absentmindedly, not entirely taking in what Keva was saying. Keva giggled silently at the sight of cheeks flushed brightly with a rosy hue. He turned and left Dáinn to his thoughts. Dáinn’s chest felt stuffy, and his heart pounding in his head filled the silence left behind by Keva. He lifted his hands to touch his cheeks, and they were warm. He couldn’t tell if they were like that because of Keva or because he was blushing. He’d like to think it was because of Keva’s warm hands, but something inside told him otherwise. It was hard enough for him to breathe, and the pit in his stomach wasn’t helping any. Dáinn couldn’t understand what he was feeling nor what had even happened just now. A sense of euphoria filled his heart, warming his body. He could almost feel the world swirling around him.

 Dáinn shook his head, pulling himself out of his daze, and followed Keva out of the room.