mason ellis

[masonxellis]

LOCATION: WINTER SOLSTICE MASQUERADE

A night like this was definitely not something Mason had experienced before - nothing came even close to a party quite like this. It wasn't like he had never worn a suit before, though the ones his parents put him in at social events were usually more modest and demure, not quite as extra as the one he'd decided to go with for this occasion. To be honest, he had been uncertain at first about the silver embellishment on the fabric, or about going so fancy to wear a bowtie - "dressing up" simply wasn't part of Mason't usual behavior so he had anticipated feeling nervous or out of place.

But as soon as he stepped into the event, his face and identity concealed behind the mask, he felt the tension and nervousness leave his body almost instantly. Looking around the room with a slight smile, Mason began to fully realize the obvious - he had no idea who any of these men were, and they didn't know who he was. For tonight, they were all blank slates to each other, without any preconceived notions or expectations. So why not take advantage of that? Impulsive and carefree as ever, he went straight for the champagne, grabbing two glasses instead of one, and made a move to approach the first person he saw standing by themselves. "May I offer you a glass?", he spoke, stepping up and reaching out one of the champagne glasses. "I would love to have someone to clink glasses with, you know."

[masonxellis]

WINSTER SOLSTICE MASQUERADE OUTFIT

[thefluffersblog]

Garrett Wareing

[dorianofthebody]

Dorian watched the younger man take his seat at the pool’s edge, but this time his attention remained steady rather than indulgent. Mason had that unmistakable brightness of someone new to the island—open, curious, eager to please. It was endearing in its own way, but also something Dorian recognized as needing gentleness rather than encouragement.

He gave a small nod when Mason asked if he minded him sitting. “Not at all,” he answered calmly. “You’re fine.”

As Mason eased his feet into the water, Dorian shifted only to give him space, maintaining a comfortable, respectful distance. He let the warmth of the water settle around him while he observed the young man’s eagerness with a quiet, thoughtful patience.

“You’re good at what you do,” Dorian said, tone softer now—complimentary without invitation. “Charming, attentive… it suits the kind of place this resort is. I imagine it makes a strong impression on the guests.”

Mason’s lip bite didn’t draw a reaction this time; Dorian kept his expression neutral, almost unreadable, but not unkind. He was careful not to return the spark Mason offered, aware of the dynamic and the responsibility that came with being on the receiving end of a staff member’s enthusiasm.

“Azure Haven draws all kinds of men,” he continued, eyes briefly scanning the quiet pool deck. “Some are overwhelmed by it at first. Others settle in quickly. You seem like someone who’s still taking it all in.”

There was a pause—an intentional one—before he added, “And that’s a good thing. This place has more to offer than people realize.”

His gaze returned to Mason, steady but gentled now, his tone shifting to something more grounded.

“I’m just here to enjoy a quiet moment. Nothing more complicated than that.”

Another beat.

“And you don’t have to impress me, Mason. Just do your job well. That’s more than enough.”

Dorian’s voice carried no judgment, only sincerity—drawing a clear boundary without pushing the young man away.

[masonxellis]

Thinking about it, it was almost ironic in some way that Mason was so eager to impress and please, quite possibly without even being fully conscious of that pattern in his behavior. As self-aware as he thought himself to be, this was most certainly a blindspot in his judgment of his own personality; in fact, quite the opposite was what he would have claimed to put importance on. Self-fulfilment, doing what made him happy rather than buckling to people's expectations of him. But maybe those were two sides of the same coin - maybe defying his parents and earning their disapproval had left him with a need to compensate for it everywhere else. It made sense; he had dropped out of college to pursue his own path, so naturally he was eager to do as good a job at the resort as possible, and not be marked a failure.

And maybe this subconscious enthusiasm, bordering on an overeagerness to please and earn approval, was a result of past events where his actions had led to the opposite. Whatever the truth was, it certainly wasn't fair to make it a guest's problem; of course Mason wasn't remotely aware how his eagerness came across to the observant Dorian.

"Well, thank you", he showed a genuine smile as he was told that he was doing a good job - in all honesty, the other man was spot on with his analysis. Mason was very much still taking it all in, hardly any time having passed since he finished his on-the-job training. It took him by surprise for a moment how accurately (and bluntly) Dorian was able to call that out, but he took no offense to it - if anything, the brief pause in the older male's words had him worried for a moment that his freshness to the place was off-putting. Of course Mason had learned by now that other guests, and not few of them, would have eagerly exploited his eagerness, and while Dorian's sudden restraint was puzzling for a moment, he was grateful for the reassurance that he could relax and just be himself.

"I take it it's not your first visit here, then?", he asked casually, genuinely curious. "You sound very familiar with the vibe of the place and its guests, you know." Biting his lip again, Mason briefly glanced around the glistening surface of the pool, before finding the other man's gaze again and meeting it. "I hope I didn't disturb your quiet moment, by the way. I apologize if I did." His tone didn't indicate that he assumed that to be the case - Mason simply was aware that it was something he was generally still figuring out when it came to how to behave around the resort. "I do want to do my job well. Sometimes it's oddly tricky to figure out how to best do that, you know?"

[theromankiss]

Roman didn’t miss the way Mason turned toward him, nor the appraising glance that followed, but he let it roll off him without reaction. Compliments weren’t new, and on Azure Haven they came with the scenery — casual, effortless, expected. He stepped a little closer to the edge of the tide, letting the cool water wash over his feet as he listened. “Good to know,” he said, voice even, relaxed. “Didn’t want to throw off your rhythm.” His gaze stayed on the line where the sun met the water, steady and unbothered, letting the quiet settle between them for a moment in a way that felt grounding instead of awkward.

At Mason’s question, Roman gave a low exhale that bordered on amusement. “Yoga? No,” he answered honestly, glancing over just enough to acknowledge the compliment with a brief nod. “I stick to weights, swimming, things like that. Haven’t tried much of what you teach.” He rolled his shoulders once, loosening tension he hadn’t noticed he was carrying. “But I can appreciate the discipline behind it.” His tone remained neutral, respectful, carrying no flirtation — simply a man stating fact, matching the calm of the beach rather than the undercurrent Mason seemed to be hinting at.

[masonxellis]

Compliments and flirty comments came to Mason almost too naturally - even before being employed at the resort, he'd never been one to hold back with speaking his mind, particularly when he had something nice to say, and from his point of view, what differed most in this place was the reaction he'd receive from people. Back home, some would find his openness refreshing, others would be irritated - and here on the island, many took it as a welcome opportunity to reciprocate, to let gazes and small comments lead them further down a path that could lead to all sorts of places. Of course Mason didn't mind receiving that kind of response - who in their right mind would be displeased with men as gorgeous as those here to flirt with them? - but there also was something refreshing, relaxing about someone like this guy, who seemed entirely unfazed, apparently not yet consumed fully by what so many liked to reduce this beautiful place to.

"Hmm, yes, that does make sense", he agreed with a nod. Compliments or not, it was obvious to see that the other man was very athletic, with broad shoulders and a strong build. Swimming was a passion that Mason shared, but he certainly would have been outclassed by a mile when it came to lifting weights. "Thanks! Yeah, it's not easier or harder than other things, just... a different focus, I guess? Flexibility, balance, body control, that stuff." Of course he likely didn't need to explain that to the other man; simply keeping his mouth shut wasn't exactly one of Mason's strengths when he wasn't focused on his practice. "My name is Mason, by the way", he spoke with a slight smile, reaching out a hand for the other. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you have been enjoying your visit thus far?"

[andrewxstjohn]

It definitely wouldn’t be the first time he would make a fool out of himself if he got lost… but Andrew didn’t want to shatter the good mood and lively conversation by sharing one of his less than elegant acts. Not that he was naturally clumsy – Heaven forbid – but there were instances where he might have slipped here and there or accidentally slap a tray from a waiter’s hand… or even drunk singing at a karaoke. The last one was for no one’s ears and eyes except the ones who had been present there. It could be a nice story to share with someone, but definitely not within minutes of meeting a new person. No matter how polite, easy-going and friendly they would seem to be. ”Apologies.” A nervous chuckle vibrated from within his chest as Andrew mentally slapped himself for his action. While to Mason it would appear charming and something probably rare to perform, Andrew had done that more than enough times to know that old-school greetings were a nice way to reveal more about himself than he was willing to share. And while he was nothing close to a prince – Disney or not – the mention of it all made him quickly look away, cheeks tainted with a light shade of red as he desperately attempted to come up with a different topic of conversation that would not go toward deeper waters. Waters that he most definitely was not interested in swimming in.

”Can you do the one they call Pretzel?” His suggestion was so sudden, so ludicrous that even Andrew surprised himself as he turned his attention back to Mason. One could only wonder how much flexibility a person would have due to yoga. All the ways they could bend and twist and turn… and in what circumstances such intriguing positions would be good for. Not that he was… well, now that he was thinking about it, Andrew couldn’t avoid wondering how such flexibility would be useful during sex. But, everyone usually thinks about that when thinking of yoga, right? “If you give yoga classes, I might awkwardly attempt some poses – but I would not get my hopes up on reaching a higher level. I can be limber but I am pretty bloody sure that my body won’t bend in certain ways. Although I do find that talent very impressive in others.”

[masonxellis]

Part of it was probably the fact that making a fool out of yourself was, in itself, subjective. Some people had a tendency to overthink a lot of things, and to feel embarrassed when the people around them were unlikely to even bat an eye or think twice about their 'mishaps'. And then there were people like Mason, who embodied the opposite - someone so carefree (and, occasionally, imprudent) that he failed to feel embarrassed about some things that others would prefer him to. It wasn't easy to shake his optimistic and good-spirited nature, but a lot of the arguments in the past that had managed to hit him deeply were those including the words "I'm ashamed of you". That sentiment felt a lot more common in Mason's life than himself feeling embarrassment of his own.

He raised an eyebrow curiously for a moment, but decided not to press the matter further - even though he was genuinely confused for a second, as Andrew truly had not done anything that would require an apology in Mason's eyes. He assumed that his fairytale prince comparison had not been received as the compliment he'd meant it at, and if the other had seemed offended rather than avoidant, he probably would have tried to explain his intent - but as it were, it seemed wiser to just let it go.

The sudden question took him so much by surprise that he couldn't help but laugh in amusement after a moment, not at Andrew, but just the fact that that was the first thing to come to mind for this posh, poised British guy. It seemed like behind all that put-togetherness, there was someone with a sense for some fun - which didn't feel surprising, but was nice to see nonetheless. "Well, it depends a bit on how extreme you wanna get with it... But yeah, I think I can give you a pretzel pose or two", he chuckled. Showing a reassuring smile, he shrugged for a moment. "Oh, nobody's expecting you to bend into weird shapes or anything, no worries. Took me years to get to where I am now. Yoga can do wonders for you just from the most basic steps. Even just closing your eyes and really being conscious of your own heartbeat and breathing. Meditation is a big part of it. And then, before you know it, you'll release some tension and be able to touch your toes." Grinning, Mason let himself fall into the sand, sitting in the warmth and looking up at Andrew as he crossed his legs, sticking each foot in below the other leg. "And if you stick with it, eventually you'll get to this type of pretzel. That the one you talked about? Or did you mean this one?" Chuckling playfully, Mason uncrossed his legs once more, leaning back slightly to bend them back, eventually putting his arms out in front of them as he 'folded' himself into a pretzel-alike shape that, in different circumstances, could indeed feel quite exposed and promiscuous. Or it could just look silly, depending on one's perspective. "But yes, this one I would not try to teach a beginner, I wouldn't want to be blamed if they get stuck and can't unfold themselves again!", he mused, unable to hold back his own chuckled laughter.

[dorianofthebody]

Dorian watched the blush of excitement rise subtly in Mason’s expression, that spark in his eyes when he realized he was being looked at — really looked at. Men like Mason always thought they were hard to read. Men like Dorian always knew better.

Slowly, deliberately, he shifted closer, the water curling around his torso as he adjusted his position. The young man’s question hung between them, playful, curious, inviting an answer.

“What word would I use?” Dorian repeated, letting the corner of his mouth curl. His gaze swept the blonde again, slower this time, lingering at the jaw, the lips, the throat. “Tempting,” he said simply. “That’s the word this place brings to mind.”

And right now, the word fit the man in front of him far more than the resort.

The way Mason bit his lip — if he meant it to tease, he succeeded. Dorian’s eyes followed the movement, darkening with interest. There was something deliciously earnest about the blonde’s flirting, a softness wrapped around youthful boldness. Dorian could smell the inexperience, but also the hunger to touch and be touched.

“I’ll agree with you on one thing,” Dorian said softly, leaning in just enough that Mason could feel the breath of his words. “The men here are breathtaking.”

His eyes flicked deliberately over Mason’s face again — letting him know he was included in that statement.

“But,” Dorian added, voice dropping lower, “some are more distracting than others.”

He let the silence hum between them for a moment, letting Mason feel the weight of being chosen, of being the one Dorian’s attention settled on so fully.

Then he gave a slow, approving smile.

“Mason,” he repeated, tasting the name like a new wine. “It suits you.”

He lifted one wet hand from the pool, resting it loosely on the stone beside Mason’s foot — not touching, but close enough to suggest he easily could.

“My name is Dorian,” he offered, still watching him with that unhurried, indulgent heat. “And I have a feeling the surprises on this island are only just starting.”

Another beat, a slow narrowing of his gaze.

“Tell me…” His tone dipped, sultry but not crude. “Are you always this charming with new guests? Or am I receiving special treatment?”

[masonxellis]

It was both a blessing and a curse, that youthful confidence that perhaps bordered on naiveté in some moments. The self-evident belief that the world was at one's fingertips, that you had it all figured out and in turn didn't need advice from anybody else. It wasn't even a matter of cockiness, certainly not in Mason's case - it was more accurate to say he had a tendency to get lost in the excitement, thinking himself wiser than he was at times. But the resort was beginning to teach him a lesson in that regard. The world may be at his fingertips, but that didn't mean he had it all figured out, not in the least. And his eagerness to explore and make new experiences did not guarantee that he had a full grasp of what each and every one of those experiences would entail.

The man in the pool sure was fascinating, making no secret of the fact that he must be well aware of his own allure. The movements of his body in the water were subtle, but deliberate, and Mason wasn't oblivious to the other's gaze on him. It was flattering to be looked at this way, especially in a place like this, where the men were so handsome and intriguing, their mutual interest in him all the more of a compliment. "Tempting... I can see that", he nodded in agreement, subconsciously biting his lower lip for a brief moment. Weirdly, the concept of temptation wasn't one that crossed Mason's mind too often - though it made sense in a way, if one considered that the point of temptation was the attempt to resist it. Admittedly, however, that wasn't one of the blonde's strongest suits.

He wasn't sure how it had happened, but this was no longer a brief poolside smalltalk with a new guest; for the moment, Mason found his attention fully captured by the man in the water. Dorian. His employment was fresh enough that he still found himself surprised when this happened so randomly, away from the spa where it was his literal job to fully focus on the men he helped to unwind. "I do try my best to be as charming as I can", he replied honestly, not finding a point in being coy - besides, he felt like the other would have seen right through it anyway. "But it certainly is much easier to do so when a guest is so charming to me as well..." Smiling once more, Mason gave up the squat and allowed himself to fully sit by the edge of the pool, sighing at no longer needing to hold the tension in his legs. "Do you mind...?", he asked before stretching his legs out enough that he could dip his feet in the pool, naturally moving ever closer to Dorian little by little.

[andrewxstjohn]

A genuine chuckle abandoned his lips before Andrew even had time to consider suppressing it. There was something oddly refreshing about someone speaking their mind without care or filter. He knew people who would say anything that he would like to hear, for favour or to draw attention – but it was so rare to see someone say things like this. Hard to judge what was more enticing: the scenery or the man around. It was such a carefree response, an opinion so unbiased by social norms and rules that it was impossible not to react. It felt refreshing to hear something like that. The words spoken by someone who truly did not care all that much about their speech. Heaven forbid if he had ever said something like that. All hell would break loose and then some. ”I can’t speak for the quality of the men populating this place.” Shaking his head, Andrew felt his heart race for a fraction of a second, excitement slowly building inside him at how refreshing it was to speak his mind for once rather than be mindful of his words. “I arrived a few short hours ago. All I’ve done is see what is where so that I won’t make a fool out of myself and end up lost.” Which would be quite the sight in itself. Azure Haven probably had guides or instructions on where to go or what path to follow – but with so much beauty surrounding them, it would also be quite easy for someone to get utterly and completely lost.

At the introduction, Andrew quickly reached out to take Mason’s hand and out of sheer habit or ingrained education – he lifted the other man’s hand to his lips and pressed a feather like kiss on his knuckles. Because handshakes, while something he had done before… didn’t even cross his mind at that stage. “I’m Andrew. Drew, for friends. It is very nice to make your acquaintance, Mason.” Releasing the other man’s hand, he returned his hand to the pocket of his pants and quickly cleared his throat. “So far, I haven’t got lost – so I may consider my exploring to be a success. How about you? Is… yoga something you do often? I always wanted to try it but… there is not enough hours in a day for me to indulge in such a curiosity.”

[masonxellis]

Carefree was indeed a perfect one-word descriptor to put a label on Mason. Of course, some would have interpreted his nature in a less positive light, calling him immature or irresponsible, naive or unreasonable. He'd been called all of those things and more, could recount many an argument with his parents and others who had put expectations in him. Expectations that he seemed to defy at all costs, either not caring or simply not thinking about any long-term consequence. It was foolish and admirable at once, and to someone like Andrew, it must truly appear like a stark contrast - Mason certainly would have gone under in record time in a world like that of the other man. Flattery, politics and intrigue were not things that Mason was made for - call it carefree or careless, he was driven by impulse, saying and doing whatever pleased him and dealing with the result once he got to it.

He couldn't help but let out a light chuckle, covering his mouth briefly with the back of his hand but unable to fight a small grin forming on his lips at Andrew's words. It was truly charming, that mix of blunt honesty and oh-so-polished vocabulary. Paired with that British accent, the other man truly came across quite posh and fancy, but without the air of being stuck-up or standoffish. "I kinda struggle to imagine how a charming man like yourself would ever be able to appear like a fool", he mused, furrowing his brow as if he truly was trying to picture the guest embarrassing himself. "Even if you were to get totally lost, I'm sure any man here would be delighted at the chance to guide you back wherever you wanted to go", he winked.

It certainly wasn't an easy feat to leave Mason speechless - but for a moment, Andrew accomplished exactly that. Not that the staff member had been an expert at formal introductions before his employment at the resort, but having his hand kissed instead of shaken was truly a first for him. "My, have you ever been told that you're like a prince right out of a fairytale?", he asked, his tone not hinting that he was making fun of the other in any way - it was simply an observation, and a pleasant one if you asked Mason. He couldn't claim he'd ever actively thought about feeling like a Disney princess, but for a moment, it had a surprising appeal. "Very nice to make yours, too, Drew", he smiled, implicitly declaring them friends right away - having only met seconds ago had hardly ever stopped him. "Well, that's why you came here, right? At least that would be my guess. Here you can fill your day however you wish. Doing all the things you're curious about. Indulging in new experiences." That's what even Mason himself hoped for. "As for your question, yes, indeed. I've been doing yoga for about ten years now. It's my favorite way to unwind, you know. Well, one of them. Perfect to clear your mind, and amazing at keeping your body limber and relieving all that tension. You should come by the spa sometime if you're interested - I'd love to show you a thing or two."

[theromankiss]

Roman had come to Lover’s Descent for the quiet more than anything else. The beach was one of the few places on the island where the sound of the waves could drown out his own thoughts, and after a long day navigating the resort’s nonstop energy, solitude felt like a small luxury. He noticed the man on the sand only as part of the landscape at first — a figure moving through steady, controlled motions with the sunset outlining his form. Roman paused out of instinct more than interest, taking in the scene as he let the warm breeze settle over his skin. When the man spoke, Roman shifted his attention fully, offering a small nod of acknowledgment.

He stepped closer at an unhurried pace, hands in his pockets, expression neutral but polite. “It is,” he agreed, eyes on the horizon rather than the man. “Hard to beat a view like this.” His tone held a grounded calm, the kind that came easily with the ocean at his feet. “I wasn’t sure yet. Thought I’d see what the water felt like, maybe walk a bit, clear my head.” He glanced toward Mason’s pose with a faint, almost approving lift of his brow. “Didn’t mean to interrupt your practice. You’ve picked one of the best spots on the island for it.”

[masonxellis]

Ironically, the natural ambience of the waves rolling against the rocks and sand at the beach was also part of what had drawn Mason here, albeit to find a contrast to the quiet he experienced for the bigger part of his days. It was true that the resort was always busy with energy and the buzz of socializing, though of course, as a wellness instructor he happened to work at one of the more quiet and soothing spots on the island. But helping others find their balance and relieving them of stress was one thing - doing the same for himself was another. For that, Mason preferred to step away from his usual surroundings.

Yoga itself was just one of many ways in which he liked to do just that, to unwind and get his mind off things - which meant that he did not mind being interrupted. If anything, he took a chance encounter with a handsome man at a place like this as a welcome opportunity; it wasn't every day that he got to meet someone in relative seclusion, away from everything else. "Oh, don't worry, I certainly don't mind an interruption now and then." Holding his pose, Mason turned his head and torso to the side, giving the other a reassuring smile and looking him over briefly. Gosh, this island never stopped amazing him with how incredibly attractive the men here were. "Do you do yoga as well? You certainly seem in great shape, if I may say so", he mused.

[dorianofthebody]

Dorian didn’t look away when the blond approached. He had felt those eyes on him long before the young man had stepped closer—warm, lingering, the kind of gaze that didn’t bother hiding its curiosity. Azure Haven attracted men who looked, wanted, considered. But this one… this one admired.

Dorian let the moment stretch, watching the young staff member drop into a squat beside the pool, sunlight catching the faint droplets on his skin. The boy smiled like the world still surprised him; Dorian found the expression disarmingly sincere.

He tipped his head slightly, studying him in return. The kind of studying that wasn’t subtle.

“Beautiful,” Dorian murmured, “isn’t the word I would have chosen.” His eyes dragged slowly—deliberately—over Mason’s face, down the line of his throat, before returning to his gaze. “But I can see why you’d say that.”

He pushed himself a little closer to the edge of the pool, arms flexing as he braced them casually along the warm stone beside the blonde’s knees. The proximity was intentional, but not intrusive—an invitation, not a demand.

“Am I enjoying my stay?” Dorian echoed softly, his voice smooth as the water around him. “I’ve barely been here a day, and already this island has offered me more… surprises than I expected.”

His eyes lifted again, this time with a slow, knowing warmth.

“And what about you?” A beat. “Are all the guests this distracting… or is it just me ruining your focus?”

The question was teasing, but there was an undercurrent—an openness—waiting to see how bold this young employee dared to be.

[masonxellis]

Indeed the other wasn't exactly subtle in the way he looked at Mason; the younger man had no trouble noticing how he was being observed, being studied by the stranger's gaze... Though he couldn't possibly surmise just how well the man was reading him. Maybe it was one of many flaws of Mason's young age to think himself not only knowledgeable of the world around him, but at the same time underestimate just how open of a book he could be to those with more life experience. Indeed the world still held surprises for Mason, at every corner in fact; as much as he liked to believe he had everything figured out, there was hardly a day where his mind didn't expand to grow aware of yet another new experience, a type of person he'd never crossed paths with before.

"No?" He arched an eyebrow in playful curiosity, surprised as if it never crossed his mind how one could not describe this place as beautiful. "What word would you have used instead, if I may ask?" He could feel the other's eyes wander across his features, getting that tingling sensation of excitement that he'd discovered to come with being observed.

It was hard to miss how the guest was closing the distance between their bodies, as much as was possible with Mason squatting outside the pool while most of the other man's frame was hidden beneath the surface. It was safe to say the blonde was much welcoming that proximity; as careful as he was not to overstep boundaries with guests, Mason's flirtatious nature quickly emerged when someone was teasing and throwing signals at him like this. He was all too willing to follow the man's lead on this.

"I mean... It's hard to deny how breathtaking all the men around here are", he admitted freely, biting his lip briefly as he glanced around the place, though there wasn't really a crowd of other guests or staff to admire at the moment. "But I like to think I'm not always so easily distracted, no. Sometimes I just cannot help myself, I suppose..." A hint of a smirk showed on the younger man's lips for a moment, a glint in his eyes that spoke of attraction and playful boldness. "My name is Mason, by the way. I hope your stay will only continue to be even more surprising, in only the best of ways."

[andrewxstjohn]

Azure Haven was just that. A haven. It was still new to Andrew, barely arrived and already seeking to explore that little slice of paradise that also worked as his escape from reality. It was easy to just let go there. To drop his burdens behind, masks and veils used publicly before others and just… relax. But what was relaxation? As of right now, an alien concept to him. Born in the midst of aristocracy, and forged his own name away from politics that blinded his family. Not that he was that important when it came to blue blood. He was no prince, no duke, no baron – but even blood connections were respected. Exploited if it came to light. And right now, he was tired of hiding. Exhausted from pretending to be someone else. Someone polite and reserved. Someone whose life had been dictated from the moment of his birth. So Andrew explored. Light steps on the ground as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his white pants, the light blue linen shirt opened just enough to show part of his chest as the orange glow of the setting sun turned his blond hair into something close to golden. Not that he wanted to seek solitude. He merely intended to explore that paradise by himself. If he ended up getting lost – all he needed to do was trace back his steps. Hopefully. But right now, he was enjoying the fresh air that was nonexistent in London. The silence that surrounded him with the exception of an occasional bird chirping in a tree. There were no car honks there, no people screaming at each other or demanding his attention. Just… silence.

At least until he reached the beach, once crystal clear waters now turned liquid gold under the setting sun, reflecting a myriad of sparkling lights against his face. Alas, he was not alone. His head turned toward the unexpected voice as a light chuckle dances easily past his lips. He was definitely not expecting to see someone down at the beach – probably more at a welcoming gathering. “Apologies.” Andrew’s British accent is low and deep – almost primal in nature. “I was not aware there was someone here.” And doing yoga apparently. Something he had never tried before due to lack of time. “I was merely exploring. It is not every day one comes in contact with such delicate views.”

[masonxellis]

It was quite curious how some guests and staff could have so many essential things in common, despite how vastly different their backgrounds might seem at first glance. Mason's world was of course lightyears removed from whatever that of an aristocrat with blue blood might look like - his parents were doctors, his childhood comfortable but nowhere near comparable to a life of politics and aristocratic machinations. In fact, Mason's entire concept of things like that was based on fiction, probably. But outside pressure, escaping it and defying expectations? That was something he could relate to. Of course, his own decision to break free and follow his own path had led him to the same paradise - even though his position at the resort was a much different one than Andrew's.

Solitude was certainly not something he seeked to find - nor avoid. What had driven him to find refuge in a paradise like this, but on the side of those who worked here, who got paid to make sure the guests had the time of their life? Well, cynics might say it was the best he could afford - booking this paradise for himself was far beyond Mason's means. But he was modest enough that simply working here was already a dream come true; doing what he loved, surrounded by sights like these, and men like the one approaching him in this moment? It was more than he could've hoped for a while ago.

"You have nothing to apologize for", Mason reassured, the subtle smile remaining on his lips as he gave the other a brief look over. The man did not appear immediately familiar, so he assumed that he was a guest, though it wasn't like he was super well acquainted with all the staff yet either. Either way, there was no denying this guy was gorgeous - handsome in appearance, with the partially opened shirt offering an enticing glimpse, and that low voice and British accent making Mason's heartrate pick up again despite his meditation. "Trust me, as long as you are here, the views will not cease to amaze you." Leaving his stance to stand normally, Mason turned to fully face the other man now. "Personally, I find it hard to judge sometimes what sight is more enticing. The scenery, or the men populating it." Both were truly entrancing in his eyes. "I'm Mason. It's nice to meet you. How have you been enjoying your exploration thus far?"

[dorianofthebody]

LOCATION: Azure Haven — The Coral Pool Deck (Late Afternoon)

Dorian Bellerose had been at the resort for a few hours, just long enough to understand why men whispered about Azure Haven the way they did. The air itself felt curated—warm, slow-moving, almost intimate, as if the island breathed with the people who stepped onto it.

The Coral Pool was quieter than he expected for this time of day, framed in soft sunlight and the faint hum of distant conversation. No crowds, no flashing cameras, no society acquaintances trying to impress him. Just turquoise water, sun-warmed stone, and the low murmur of music drifting from the nearby bar.

Dorian shed his shirt with the kind of unhurried confidence that came naturally to him, draping it neatly over a lounge chair. He dipped two fingers into the pool—warm, inviting—and exhaled for what felt like the first real time in months. Then he slid into the water, sinking until it held him fully, the heat loosening tension from his shoulders.

For a moment, he let himself float, eyes drifting shut. No expectations. No persona to maintain. Just himself.

When he surfaced again, he wasn’t alone.

A shadow crossed the deck—a figure approaching, lingering, maybe observing. Dorian pushed wet hair from his forehead, lips curving into a slow, knowing half-smile, the kind that always invited trouble without saying a word.

He rested his arms along the pool’s edge, body relaxed, gaze lifting to meet whoever had joined him.

“Beautiful afternoon,” he said, voice low, warm, and unmistakably inviting. “Almost too beautiful to spend it alone.”

He didn’t specify whether that was an observation or an offer. He didn’t need to.

The space between them was open—waiting for someone to fill it.

[masonxellis]

Even for Mason, who was one of the resort's more recent employees but at least had been here long enough to receive the necessary on-the-job training for his position, Azure Haven was still feeling like a wondrous place. It's mere existence was a miracle to him, and while part of him envied the men who could revel in the luxury of this place as guests, even working here was a dream come true for him. Mason was still discovering new things about this place every day; new spots around the resort that he didn't get to explore as much yet, new men that set foot in the place and offered fresh excitement. Each new impression managed to entice and enthrall the young blonde, and he found himself mesmerized quite frequently, still in disbelief that this paradise was a reality.

One of the things he still was figuring out about his work was just how appropriate - or inappropriate - it was to outright stare at the guests. Mason knew not to come across as creepy or cause any discomfort, obviously, but there certainly were moments when he found he couldn't help himself. He would just walk through the resort, and now and then his gaze would halt and remain on a certain man, guest or staff alike, who simply caught his attention.

The stranger in the pool was such a man.

Maybe it was the way he emerged from the blue depths, the water glistening on his face and those arms as they rested on the edge of the pool... Or maybe it was that low voice, undeniably enticing. Whatever it was, Mason found himself stepping closer, nodding as he smiled down at the man in the water. "It truly is. Sometimes I think this place can't get any more beautiful... But I'm proven wrong each time." Squatting near the edge of the pool, his eyes met that of the other man - most likely a guest, not just because of the circumstances, but because this face did not look familiar at all to Mason. "Are you enjoying your stay?"

[masonxellis]

LOCATION: Lover's Descent - Beach (around sunset)

One would perhaps expect Mason to be the type to socialize with the guests and fellow staff at every opportunity, that he would be mingling with people as soon as his shift was over and he was mostly free to roam the island. And it wasn't even an incorrect assumption - he certainly never minded being around people, especially in a paradise like this where everybody was a gorgeous man, offering stimulating conversation and eye candy alike constantly. And yet, the resort had even more beauty to offer beyond its inhabitants.

The beach was absolutely one of his favorite spots to come to for some yoga practice - there was no lack of options when it came to where to stretch and find some balance, and yet nothing could beat feeling the setting sun from behind as the ocean waves splashed ashore in front of him. Mason closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the sounds and scent of the nature around him, feeling the sand beneath his feet.

And then, he noticed something. Or rather, someone.

For a moment, he didn't react, remaining still in warrior's pose, before a smile appeared on his lips. He didn't turn to stop facing the ocean, but opened his eyes, signaling that he'd noticed the presence of the other man. "Beautiful, isn't it? The sunet reflecting on the water", Mason mused. "Were you planning to go for an evening swim? Or just enjyoing a walk along the beach?"

[dorkphenix]

[masonxellis]