Dreamland

Harun couldn't help but chuckle at Devran's words, the way it was all too ironic for him to be saying these things to him. His first taste of temptation had been him, the man he's know for almost a lifetime, the first one that made his heart ache and yearn. "You would know, you've always been my worst temptation, and hardly have I ever been able to say no to you, if I even have that is." he teased. Harun found himself giggling at the idea of Devran wanting him to cause some chaos, to be a thorn at his father's side and earn his ire. "Don't think anybody here has the money to change my mind, but you...you've got something else entirely that could sway me, all too easily." Harun said softly as his eyes bored into Devran's gaze and he found himself unable to detach. "But the ball's in your court,"

" are you now ? " the question came out coated in amusement. his gaze not yet wavered from harun. " i always look good, isn't that what you always say ? " there was the faint hint of a smirk at his lips. " are you so certain i've brought my handcuffs with me ? maybe i'm solely here as a guest. incapable of reprimanding you for your misbehavior . "

There had always been this game of cat and mouse, hunter and prey with them. A constant chase that always ended with Harun not wanting to leave his arms the next morning, but forced to due to his duties. Harun was afraid to let him get to close, to let the man see behind the mask and find that he wasn't all that interested in him, that Harun just wasn't what he wanted or was looking for. "I do say that, cause you do always look good, I don't expect anything less from you, not since the first night we met." he mused, smiling at the memory.

"please, it's a very public event and you mostly likely saw my story and knew i was coming. so yes, i'm positive you do have them, probably the same set that have my name engraved on them," harun whispered closely to alexander, low enough so nobody but him could hear. as he stared up into those beautiful blue's he was reminded of just exactly why he was so attracted to this man, and he he couldn't ever peel himself away fully. there was just something addictive about him, something that even with all the insanity he'd have to deal with, it made him feel safe, cared for.

"just a guest, you make it seem as if you're unimportant, and we both know that's a lie. you would probably pull more glances than i ever could, my alexander."

"Kaan, I'm literally not doing anything except working." Harun sighed feeling as if no matter what he did neither Kaan nor their father would ever see this as more than a phase and he'd get a real job soon enough. "I'm doing an appearance for many brands, plus helping out young and new designers by wearing their clothes to get their brand launched. I know you think I'm just some big loser party boy who is only ever going to be the family disappointment, but I thought you'd at least give me some modicum of grace."

Ellie tried to avoid gawking at the sheer extravagance surrounding her. The wealth in England, at least in her experience, had been more understated—nothing like the spectacle Los Angeles elites put on for a night like this. Everywhere she turned, there were dazzling gowns, impeccably tailored suits, and an almost theatrical level of glamour. It made her simple, minimalistic dress feel painfully out of place, though it was the nicest thing she could throw together last minute. With a curious glance around the room, she turned to a sharply dressed young man nearby. “Is it always this over the top?” she asked, her voice laced with equal parts awe and amusement.

"So you know that one video where the girl says It's LA, we're all addicted to something and it's LA if you don't have an issue then get one whilst dancing to gay club music? Yeah this is pretty much what it is all the time." Harun commented as he took note of her existence, and wondered if he had seen her face before but he couldn't quite place her exactly. "Honestly, it's not as bad as I make it sound, a lot of the high profile people you might meet tonight are horrible, but not all of them are like that."

there had been something stirred up at the sight of francesca with another. smiling, laughing; her arm tucked within his. a feeling that had forced him back through the crowd. and out into the pleasant night, the smell of ocean light within the air. maybe he'd just needed a minute. maybe he'd needed to throw in the towel. or maybe he'd just needed to relent some of the anger that etched itself into nearly every fiber of him. " the party's in there , " he quipped almost immediately, at the sound of another nearby. as his gaze soon enough sought them out .

Having handed out his friends information to everyone who asked about who he was wearing, Harun felt he needed a moment to collect his thoughts and drop the vapid persona he put on for the cameras. Being a media puppet had its perks, but most of it all was just soulless and mind numbing work. At least he was able to help out young up and coming designers with this Gala. "Yes, but you're out here, so this is exactly where I'd rather be," Harun said as he sat down next to Emir. "Besides, I can't go back in there right now, I think I might just combust if I keep getting asked who I came with since apparently a date was very much needed for this, and lo and behold no one wanted to ask the stupid influencer to this thing,"

there had been a necessity for his presence that evening. if only because part of the charity benefited the police department. the very one that he had preceded in for far too many years. the very one whose ranks he had climbed with ease, ensuring a place towards the top. all beneficial really. but the night had found him without gun and badge. well, without one of those. as he lounged against the press of the wall, intent to watch the matters of the evening unfold before him. which may have been precisely how he had caught sight of the other. an intrigue making itself known almost immediately. " and what sort of no good are you getting into ? "

There was a certain dance to be held at charity events, like political intrigue where it was a chess match of words seeing who could land the winning move at any given moment. Harun scoured the crowds intent on avoiding any of the unnecessary banter of people trying to sway him or buy his image for their brand. The exhausting intricacies of an influencer and socialite status, many of which were hidden under all the glamourized presentation. On a little corner he found solace, a moment of respite where he was able to catch his breath. Then just like that his breath had been stolen by the very man who had seen him in handcuffs many nights before. "Believe it or not, I'm actually on my best behavior tonight,"

"You look good," he said, drawing closer to Alex as he let his hand caress the same features he's come to know all too well. "Now I have a feeling you want me to cause trouble, just so have an excuse to have me all to yourself,"

One of Ivy’s favorite parts of galas was the fashion—the chance to see people at their most glamorous, making bold statements or simply reveling in elegance. It was a night where style spoke just as loudly as status. But, as her gaze swept across the room, she couldn’t help but cringe at some of the choices on display. Some outfits were stunning, effortlessly chic. Others… well, they were memorable for all the wrong reasons. A poorly tailored suit here, an ill-advised color clash there—it was almost impressive how some people managed to miss the mark so spectacularly. A quiet scoff slipped past her lips as she took a sip of her drink, murmuring under her breath, “How do people leave the house thinking that’s a good look?”

"Anna Wintour is probably rolling her eyes at this as we speak. Some people can wear designer and still not know how to style it. Either way, a lot of people don't know fashion in LA which is hilarious considering." Harun laughed because with as many celebrities and moguls of all kinds that called this city home, he was surprised at how many faux pas there truly were. "I've seen comic book characters wear better clothes, albeit most of them are always female, and most of them are just Emma Frost."

Francesca loved a gala—who wouldn’t enjoy the excuse to dress up and support a cause? But tonight, she had more than just philanthropy on her mind. The Manor of Hope Gala gathered all of Los Angeles' elite under one roof, making it a goldmine for gossip and scandal—the kind of stories that would catch her boss’s attention. Her gaze landed on someone bound to have plenty of intrigue at his fingertips. A socialite always knew more than they let on. “Good evening,” she greeted Harun with a dazzling smile, undeterred by their less-than-pleasant history. “You’re looking particularly dashing tonight.”

Harun's life was displayed all over social media for the world to see, and any press was good press, but when it came to Francesca's words about him, he couldn't really find the silver lining. Making a mental note to sigh around her, he turned and offered her a charming smile. "Thank you, a few up and coming designers reached out to me, and I worked with them to design this. Their work is amazing you should check them, out I'll give you their info later on." he mused. "And you also look beautiful tonight, but I'm sure you'll be hearing that nonstop tonight. So how long before you write a scathing thing about me saying how I'm totally not supposed to be wearing something that makes my ass look amazing?" he said in jest.

"Influencer is just the base of it all, I do brand management, event planning, fundraising, and even help create special menus at whatever venues wants my help, because if there's one thing I know, it's people." Harun knew that his father might not approve of his career choice but sending his brother of all people never helped soften the blow. "I'm fine, big brother, little harun isn't the little dumb duckling everybody thought I was years ago, besides, I do enjoy being underestimated."

Mia sat at the bar enjoying a glass of wine - on the house of course. Sometimes it did pay to have her twin brother own the restaurant, as well as to have her organization have control over the business. Leo was around somewhere, and while she enjoyed her glass she shifted through the book she had been ignoring far too long. It was in the time before the dinner rush so the place only had a low hum of activity. She should have been able to sit alone in peace. She should have, but she was soon joined by someone else. Looking up, Mia was about to tell them to choose any other seat, but stopped when she took note of who it was. His name was escaping her, but she knew him from several parties now she had made an appearance at. Typically, Mia found influencers vapid and annoying airheads, so she did not follow him. However, he had been entertaining enough during the past encounters. "Well, I never expected to see in you in a setting outside a party." She smirked.

"You mean you never expected to see me without an annoying gaggle right behind me, saying yes to whatever ludicrous thing that comes out of my mouth?" Harun quipped as he sat down, shooting her a smile before looking over the menu. "Trust me, I know better than anyone that they're just money hungry social climbers latching onto whomever is the big name of the month. Sadly, it's been me for the past few years now," he chuckled. "Actually I'm here for a meeting with an agent, wants to go over some voice over work he wants me to do, and probably spit ball a few other ideas and avenues for me to try out, so just another day of the week," he mused.

"What's up with you? Mia, if I'm not mistaken. It's literally my job to know who's who in town," he said.

"The sight of you of course, there's plenty to look at," Harun mused with a smile as he watched him adjust the weight on the machine. "You'd be surprised about how little I really need to be entertained, besides a hot guy flexing his sweaty muscles in the gym, while it might not impress some, I'm definitely keen on seeing more."

the recent new years party had been a success. earning the whispers slipped from those who had found themselves worthy enough to earn an invite. for el despertar had never been for everyone. the doors like the gates of paradise themselves. and within it, a very particular sense of elysium. cultivated by the man who boasted of luxury itself. even then, as he stepped through the throng of dancers upon the club's floor. he sought only to entertain. to ensure that any who had found themselves within the haven enjoyed themselves. harun, in particular. as luciano spotted him at the bar, with his phone in hand. " there will be none of that tonight , " he chided. as he plucked the item from his friend. before he slipped it into his own pocket. " are you not enjoying yourself here ? " he questioned, as he eased into the seat beside harun. as he leaned closer, if only so that he could be heard over the music .

As much as he posted about the nightlife online, Harun wasn't truly all that invested in the parties he promoted or the clubs that hired him to just show up and be a pretty face. Unless there was a much better incentive, he found it rather boring. As he went through the best pictures to post on his feed to garner engagement, he was suddenly holding onto nothing but air as his best friend so graciously snatched away his phone. "Are you seriously putting me in phone jail now? But what if I have a few guys from Grindr, Sniffies, Tindr, or Scruff on here who want all of this?" he teased. "If you have to know, not really, and I'm not sure even you could help," Harun said as he leaned in closer to Lucky, finger caressing his best friend's scruff. "But I'm not gonna stop you from trying."

The casino floor buzzed with life, a steady hum of clinking chips, murmured conversations, and the occasional cheer of a winner cutting through the haze of cigar smoke and perfume. Santino didn’t gamble—not for fun, anyway. He was here for a meeting that was already ten minutes late, which meant he was either being tested or stood up. Either way, he didn’t appreciate his time being wasted.

Seated at the bar, he let his fingers drum lazily against the rim of his glass, the untouched whiskey inside catching the glow of the chandelier above. His gaze swept across the room, not searching, just watching. High rollers in designer suits, tourists drunk off their own bravado, the dealers with their rehearsed smiles—all pieces moving in a game he had no interest in playing.

With a quiet sigh, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, checking for any update. Nothing. His patience was thinning, and if this was some kind of power move, it wasn’t one he had the time for. A beat later, though, movement in his periphery caught his attention. Someone slipping into the seat beside him. Unfamiliar. Which meant either trouble, or a distraction from the fact that he was still waiting.

Either way, he finally took a sip of his drink. "Hope you're not here to sell me something," he muttered, not yet turning to look. "Not really in the market."

If there was one thing Harun hated it was the smell of smoke of any kind. Cigarettes, cigars, it didn't matter to him, all it did was just make his allergies act up and then he'd end up with a headache due to congestion. So he avoided it as much as he could, but sometimes his job forced him into a lot of very uncomfortable positions. At least the bar seemed to be a great place to be, a few friendly faces that were so eagerly offering to buy him drinks could only sweeten the deal.

"Not my thing," he mused as he was handed a drink the bartender said someone had paid for him. "You're not in the market, shame. Cause if you were ever to be auctioning off a night with you, I'd probably be the highest bidder," he teased, shooting the man a wink. "But I'm just here for other things, and I thought the bar was a nice place to not be under a full cloud of smoke."

Devran always enjoyed the buzz of a crowded event, but there was something particularly satisfying about spotting familiar faces in the sea of strangers. Sure, he could charm his way into conversation with just about anyone, but there was comfort in the known. A smirk tugged at his lips as he stepped in front of Harun, eyes gleaming with mischief. “I trust you’re on your best behavior tonight,” he teased, the words light and playful. Then, after a beat, his smirk deepened. “Though, if you’re planning to stir up trouble, I certainly won’t stand in your way.” After all, a little chaos never hurt anyone—at least, not anyone Devran was particularly concerned about.

Harun didn't love the ideas of gala's usually something would occur that would sour his entire mood for the night. Luckily, a familiar face like that of Devrin's could easily save whatever tragedy might've befallen him. "Me? I'm always a true Georgia peach, as sweet as can be," It didn't take long for Harun's hands to find their way onto Devrin's clothes, tidying up his jacket a little out of habit. "Sadly, even if I did have half a mind to do anything even remotely fun, let's say eat desserts off of you, I'm here on business. A few brands have me here tonight to represent them, and as a brand manager of sorts I do have to somewhat comport myself," he giggled. "But I could be swayed for the right price,"

Open to: anyone @bloodnhonorstart

In Leo's life, disaster could strike at any moment. His job was physically intense, and his smaller frame and youthful appearance often made others underestimate him, seeing him as an easy target. If only they knew the trouble they'd be in. "What’s up?" he asked, irritation clear in his voice as he pulled one of his earbuds out. He had only just arrived, and didn't want to lose momentum.

Harun's work had always been about appearances, the right clothes, the right venues, all about the look. Part of that was maintaining his body in the best shape possible, to be as alluring as he was sweet. Today he found himself distracted at the gym, seeing another go intense in his regime as a smile played on his lips. "Just heavily enjoying the view, don't mind me." he mused.