Liam Adler @liamadler - Tumblr Blog

Liam felt a weight get lifted off his shoulders as the man offered him so peace. He knew that this wasn't a performance to everyone, but for him it was. A performance to showcase who he truly can be, no restraints.

He continued to let the music flow through him, guide him along.

"Then you must be a very observant guy to notice patterns like that." Liam joked as he continued to lead the dance. He was beginning to loosen up and truly have some more fun now. He enjoyed the way no one knew who he was.

Eventually the music had changed, still slow, but more intimate. Liam felt himself move closer into the man. The onyx mask still drawing him, entranced with every word.

"Tonight, I am enjoying dancing with you." Slowly his natural accent kept sleeping in. It was every so often but still enough.

Liam's movements were still flowy, free to match his expressions.

"I know this may be weird to ask but may I rub your back? I don't know how comfortable you are and whatnot." Liam started to ramble on. He was justifying himself for asking a simple question.

harborheir

Julian noticed the shift in the music immediately, the way it softened the room and subtly encouraged closeness. He adjusted his stance without comment when the distance between them narrowed, keeping his posture relaxed but clearly measured, his hand steady and appropriate where it rested. The mask hid his expression, but his body language remained open, calm, and unhurried.

“I pay attention,” he replied simply, the hint of amusement in his voice understated rather than teasing. “It’s a habit more than a talent.”

He followed Liam’s lead easily as the dance continued, letting the rhythm carry them without pushing or pulling the moment in any particular direction. The slip of accent didn’t go unnoticed, but Julian didn’t call it out. Tonight was not about catching inconsistencies.

When the question came, he didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he slowed their movement just enough to give the moment space, ensuring the music didn’t rush the response.

“I appreciate you asking,” Julian said, tone even and sincere. “But I’d prefer to keep things as they are.”

There was no discomfort in his voice, no edge. Just clarity.

“This is enough for me tonight,” he added, offering a small nod as reassurance. “The dance, the conversation. That’s what I came for.”

He resumed their gentle pace, giving Liam an easy out without breaking the flow, his presence remaining steady and friendly as the music carried on around them.

liamadler

"Well habits can turn into talents. All one has to do is keep up with it. At least that is my philosophy on it." Liam countered as he continued to lead the dance, never making it more than what it is.

Liam offered a gentle smile as he heard why the man said. There was no distaste, annoyance, or anything negative. What the smile showed was an understanding, one that Liam respects. He wasn't going to push anything more.

He was enjoying the moment with the mysterious man and wanted it to retain. "This will be enough for me as well. Great conversation with an even greater dancer." Liam joked a little. It wasn't flirtatious but instead more of a self-deprecating joke. Something to offer an ease of any awkwardness.

"So mister observer..." Liam began as he looked around the lounge. There was a lot of stories that were being hidden, himself included. "...what do you think that guy's story is?" He said pointing his head at a random man.

It was harmless and based solely off of appearances.

Liam was an avid people watcher so he liked to imagine stranger's stories. How a life can either be so similar or so different than his. In his own head he was forming a story of the man he was dancing with. It wasn't much but it painted something sweet.

#julianharbor

liamadler

Liam had looked at the man with a closer eye. The way that the moonlight hit the onyx mask drew the man in. It felt a bit more relaxing than what he thought it would be, maybe it was the voice. The man's voice itched something nice inside of Liam's brain. Nothing fake, all real.

There was a call of his bluff, almost a challenge. Liam took it as an invitation, banter back against his. Liam took a second to think about his response. It had been constructed, his whole persona was. Yet that was what the night was about. Right? Being someone else, just for a few hours.

"Well I want to make sure that I don't make a mistake. There is never anything wrong with intentionality." Liam bantered as he examined the man's suit. It gave off the impression of elegance.

Elegance that Liam would soon need.

"There is no shame in not hiding. Isn't this place, this paradise, a way for all of us to be authentic? That is what i'd like to assume anyway."

The hand was outstretched that matched Liam's. Now it was time to have the confidence. "A dance never hurts anyone." He took the palm in his to start the dance. His other hand lightly placed under the older man's shoulder blade.

He began to lead the dance as best as he could. He kept his eyes transfixed on eyes of his dance partner. He was reminding himself that he was not Liam, not in this moment. He was someone else, someone who knew how to dance.

He let the music flow through him as he continued to waltz.

"So mystery man" He began, choosing his words carefully, "tell me, what is it like? Not knowing who is who."

Liam had no clue who he was dancing with but it felt welcoming. The presence allowing for him to relax. "I view it as freeing."

While he danced he made a few mistakes but tried to brush past them. Act as if nothing had happened when something obviously did. He muttered a sorry after each time, his British accent coming through when he did.

harborheir

Julian adjusted his stance easily when the man’s hand settled at his shoulder blade, not stiffening, not leaning in either. He followed the lead with quiet competence, movements measured and restrained, more attentive to balance and rhythm than to closeness. The music carried them forward, and Julian let it do most of the work, correcting where the steps faltered without comment or judgment.

“It’s less confusing than people expect,” he replied after a moment, voice steady, thoughtful rather than playful. “When names disappear, patterns become clearer. Posture. Pace. How someone recovers from a misstep.” His gaze stayed level, observant, not lingering. “Those things tell you far more than a name ever could.”

When the man apologized under his breath, Julian caught the accent shift, subtle but unmistakable. He didn’t react outwardly, only adjusted their turn to smooth the moment, guiding them back into time with the music.

“There’s no need to apologize,” he said quietly. “This isn’t a performance. It’s just movement.” A pause, then, almost gently, “Mistakes are part of it. Anyone who pretends otherwise usually isn’t paying attention.”

As they continued across the floor, Julian considered the question more fully.

“Anonymity isn’t about freedom for me,” he added. “It’s about focus. Without history attached, the moment stands on its own. You don’t owe it anything beyond what you’re willing to give.”

The music swelled, then softened again. Julian’s grip remained respectful, precise, offering stability rather than suggestion.

“And tonight,” he finished, evenly, “that seems to be enough.”

liamadler

Liam felt a weight get lifted off his shoulders as the man offered him so peace. He knew that this wasn't a performance to everyone, but for him it was. A performance to showcase who he truly can be, no restraints.

He continued to let the music flow through him, guide him along.

"Then you must be a very observant guy to notice patterns like that." Liam joked as he continued to lead the dance. He was beginning to loosen up and truly have some more fun now. He enjoyed the way no one knew who he was.

Eventually the music had changed, still slow, but more intimate. Liam felt himself move closer into the man. The onyx mask still drawing him, entranced with every word.

"Tonight, I am enjoying dancing with you." Slowly his natural accent kept sleeping in. It was every so often but still enough.

Liam's movements were still flowy, free to match his expressions.

"I know this may be weird to ask but may I rub your back? I don't know how comfortable you are and whatnot." Liam started to ramble on. He was justifying himself for asking a simple question.

#julianharbor

liamadler

The crisp evening air was what welcomed Liam as he walked down the gravel path. It was night across paradise and the moon was at its highest. He finally had worked up the courage to head down to the event happening at the Moonfall Lounge, a once in a time event. A time when anonymity is the culture around, a masquerade ball. Liam was able to pretend to be all that he wasn't, or all that he will become. He was set down this path and nothing will stop him. Liam wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to harmlessly flirt with the men here, that was why he came.

Liam found a small pocket of water along the pass and looked at his reflection. His emerald green suit assured that he stood out, elegant, classy, and flashy. He wanted the attention on him, usually he was the opposite. Don't get him wrong, he liked attention. Liam just hated when it was all about him; he liked to share the spotlight.

His suit was complemented by a silver owl mask with navy blue highlights. The owl hiding his own lack of wisdom. He quickly fixed his hair before he ruddied off. He didn't want to miss the event before he could even enjoy a single dance.

That suddenly struck a nerve, he would have to dance. Liam knew that he always struggled to dance, all his partners said so. The thought of dancing with a stranger scared him. He couldn't let that stop him. He wouldn't let that stop the persona that he is presenting. Liam shook off all his nerves as he neared the lounge.

As he stepped to the lounge he could see the array of men that were present. They were all dressed up in the finest suits that he had ever seen. He straightened his back and walked in with confidence. He found a spot at the bar where he took residence. He felt his persona starting to slip; he hastily ordered a drink.

Liam watched the crowd at his seat. He saw someone not far, someone that caught his eye. He took a swing of his drink before leaving. He let the music take control of his mind, waltzing over.

"Well hello there." He hid his British accent with an American one. It was a talent he had, masking his accent.

"I saw you from afar and couldn't help but be admired by you. Hope you don't mind my forwardness...but may I have a dance?"

He extended his hand out. An offer, an invitation to allow something to form. The beauty of the night, it may not last. Liam wished, no, he hoped that it would last.

harborheir

Julian had been content to remain on the edge of the evening, a quiet observer beneath his mask, when the presence in front of him drew his attention. Not with force, not with familiarity, but with confidence carefully worn, like formalwear just a touch too new.

He turned fully toward the man who addressed him, eyes settling on the silver owl mask and the flash of emerald fabric that caught the candlelight. The accent registered as American, smooth and practiced, though Julian made no attempt to place it. Tonight was not for questions like that. Tonight was for what was offered at face value.

The outstretched hand lingered between them, an open invitation.

Julian’s expression, partially hidden behind his onyx mask, remained calm and unreadable. There was no flirtation in the way he looked at the stranger, only consideration. He set his glass down carefully on the nearby table, the soft clink nearly lost beneath the music, and took a half step closer, enough to acknowledge the request without rushing into it.

“You don’t strike me as forward,” Julian replied evenly, his voice low and composed, shaped to give nothing away. “Just… intentional.”

His gaze flicked briefly to the dance floor, where couples were already moving in slow, deliberate patterns, then returned to the man before him.

“I should warn you,” he continued, tone almost dry beneath the courtesy, “I’m not here to impress anyone tonight. And I have no interest in pretending to be someone I’m not.”

A pause. Measured. Fair.

“But a dance,” he added, inclining his head slightly, “is harmless enough.”

Julian reached out then, not taking the man’s hand immediately, but offering his own in return, palm open, neutral. An agreement rather than a conquest. An acknowledgment rather than an invitation to more.

“Lead,” he said simply.

liamadler

Liam had looked at the man with a closer eye. The way that the moonlight hit the onyx mask drew the man in. It felt a bit more relaxing than what he thought it would be, maybe it was the voice. The man's voice itched something nice inside of Liam's brain. Nothing fake, all real.

There was a call of his bluff, almost a challenge. Liam took it as an invitation, banter back against his. Liam took a second to think about his response. It had been constructed, his whole persona was. Yet that was what the night was about. Right? Being someone else, just for a few hours.

"Well I want to make sure that I don't make a mistake. There is never anything wrong with intentionality." Liam bantered as he examined the man's suit. It gave off the impression of elegance.

Elegance that Liam would soon need.

"There is no shame in not hiding. Isn't this place, this paradise, a way for all of us to be authentic? That is what i'd like to assume anyway."

The hand was outstretched that matched Liam's. Now it was time to have the confidence. "A dance never hurts anyone." He took the palm in his to start the dance. His other hand lightly placed under the older man's shoulder blade.

He began to lead the dance as best as he could. He kept his eyes transfixed on eyes of his dance partner. He was reminding himself that he was not Liam, not in this moment. He was someone else, someone who knew how to dance.

He let the music flow through him as he continued to waltz.

"So mystery man" He began, choosing his words carefully, "tell me, what is it like? Not knowing who is who."

Liam had no clue who he was dancing with but it felt welcoming. The presence allowing for him to relax. "I view it as freeing."

While he danced he made a few mistakes but tried to brush past them. Act as if nothing had happened when something obviously did. He muttered a sorry after each time, his British accent coming through when he did.

#julianharbor

rylandsgrace

The Odyssey (2026) dir. Christopher Nolan