However, now that the dark feelings were gone, Ezra noticed Raphael's current condition. His eyes were slightly red, and the bags under his eyes were worse than before his trip to Russia. During their kiss, Ezra had also felt the coarse stubble on Raphael's upper lip and chin. Raphael usually kept his face clean-shaven, as he was obsessed with facial hygiene and always claimed that stubble and a beard were uncomfortable. When Ezra asked how he would feel about Ezra having a beard, Raphael had paused, seemingly picturing Ezra with facial hair, and then, with a twinkle in his eye, enthusiastically said, 'Ahem, that's kind of hot. When you give me a blowjob, imagine, I could feel your …—' Ezra had promptly stopped him from finishing his sentence, those conversations were the main reason he always made sure to shave.
Clearly, Raphael had been so busy in Russia that he hadn't maintained his usual strict hygiene routine. Ezra felt a pang of regret for having been angry with him.