#ft. roland

[adrasian]

closed starter for @councillor-roland

Adrasia felt the finality of the moment drop on his chest like a stone when the guards first approached him with purpose beyond herding. Oh, it was inevitable, but as he was prepared for his appointment, the celestial could not help but remember vividly the first night he had spent in a castle such as this. He had fought viciously then and bled for it, but before his feet had even touched Krovs' floor, he had known it would be different this time. It had to be, he reminded himself as he was marched out of the Undercroft, willing his hands to unwind from their clenched fists. His overseers would expect the opposite and any slight sign of rebellion on his part would be taken as a sign that his lesson had not yet been learned. How now to take this?

That was the question that circled through his mind, eyes blind to the finery he was marched past, the curious looks that marked his passing, ever closer to the master's chambers. Adrasia was no seducer, no good at playing doe-eyed either, by his own estimations. None of this to answer what this master would expect from his prey -- the name he had not yet been told, but councilman was omen enough. That thought brought another thrill of adrenaline with no place to go: Adrasia knew sadists, knew gloating egotists, exhibitionists whose greatest pleasure was the shame they assigned to their mess. There was no strategy to please all of them (as if he had once even tried). And which would he be?

One of the guardsmen jostled the celestial from his churning thoughts and Adrasia realized they had finally stopped. It had not been for rudeness's sake either, they were prompting him to knock. A helpless little laugh nearly escaped the celestial at this, quickly choked back. Stoicism, perhaps, was all he had left to grasp for. The night would pass, whatever it would be, and when it was over, he himself would still be the same.

A small consolation, but Adrasia took it and used its strength to raise his hand and rap twice on that fine door behind which the rest of the evening lay. So be it.

[gwyndolence]

for @councillor-roland

They were several hours deep into the night already by the time Gwyn found his sire, knowing of course that Roland wouldn't dare miss a good party and eager to see exactly how the elder had painted himself up for this year's festivities. It had been quite a few years, actually, since the two of them had been together for Halloween -- all the more reason in Gwyn's mind to make up for lost time. Then again, the sith was reminded, giggling to himself as he approached where Roland was idly watching the crowd in the street below, the two of them didn't celebrate exactly the same way nowadays. It would be a minor miracle, too, if Roland had any idea what his fledgling was dressed as.

"Of course you'd find the most old fashioned party to plant yourself in!" Gwyn all but spilled into Roland's arms once he was close enough, hugging his sire tightly around the waist with a toothy grin, "Where's your paramour gone to? Doesn't he know not to leave a handsome man unattended in this town?" The sith's words slurred together a bit, lush with affection and all he'd been drinking (from multiple sources). The brightest edge of whatever concoction Seth had given him had long since burned away and now Gwyn just felt good, bubbly and warm, pupils wide and dilated as he took Roland's costume in. "Look at you," He said with gush of laughter, reaching to pinch the elder's rogued cheek, "Just happened to have the wig lying around in an old trunk, somewhere? It's fun! You should grow your hair out, I think."

[adrasian]

Adrasia could only nod confirmation to Roland's demand, eyes wide and unsure. Was it right to feel relief in reaction to the councilman's emphatic declaration that he'd be kept far away from Raphael? Did Adrasia trust that such a thing was within Roland's capabilities? There was no answering those questions - not so soon, at least. What truly unsettled the celestial though was how easily he could imagine hearing the following lecture coming out of one of his elder's mouths, so many centuries ago before they all scattered into hiding. He had struggled once with the idea of who was responsible for the refusal of sinners to change their ways when they were offered grace. Accountability, blame - all the more difficult to reason with in the wake of what had brought him to this castle in particular. Did Roland have underlying motive to say such things or was it simply what it seemed: comfort? Adrasia struggled with his words for a long pause. "Perhaps it would be for the better to do as you say and ignore him," He murmured finally, "There is no victory to be had in arguing." Then, a moment later, "...Thank you." That would be have to be enough.

When Roland's fingers brushed through his feathers he miraculously managed not to flinch, if only because he'd been prepared. It was still strange. Adrasia inhaled sharply, eyes fixing on the opposite wall without registering anything he saw there. "I - yes. To varying extents. Depending on... how and where." He was holding decently steady until the vampire's cool fingers pressed deeper into the plush of layered feathers, grazing the down beneath and the hot, fragile skin it covered. Several conflicting signals were dashing through the angel's mind, the anxiety of having a predator so close to something so precious competing with the meditative calm that would normally come from being preened by a trusted friend. He quivered once and held his breath until Roland's touch migrated outwards, safer, less arresting, his wings hitching slightly upwards as if to guide the touch further out. Then the air left him again all at once in a sigh, head loosely falling forwards when that careful hand stroked inward again, the skin all over Adrasia's shoulders seeming to tingle in echo of the motion. He had not expected such gentleness. "It's... alright," He replied, hushed, still clasping his arms around himself. The experience of the ghoul's touch could not have been more different. Was Roland truly content with this? The celestial swallowed thickly, daring to glance backwards over his shoulder to make what he could of the other's face.

Adrasia stalled for a moment and Roland thought he might not actually give him the answer. He supposed he wouldn't force it if that were the case but he did want to know, if only so he could keep it in the back of his mind whenever interacting with that person. It would likely change his opinion of them, whoever they were. Never mind that if such a thing had happened to a slave he cared nothing for it likely would've had no impact on him but since it was Adrasia it did matter. His expression darkened considerably when the name was finally given and he cursed in French. "De Luca. What a beast he is. I should've expected it, I suppose." He shook his head, disgusted. His opinion of Raphael was already fairly low and this was doing nothing to help it. Blue eyes snapped back to Adrasia's face as he continued, expression twisting, fist clenching angrily. "Still has them? Like some sort of grotesque trophy? Well, I'm even more glad that I made you off limits to him. I'll just have to make extra certain he never has the opportunity to get at you. Rest assured I won't let him touch you again." He'd always intended to do that anyway, if only to taunt Raphael with something he clearly liked or wanted and couldn't have but more and more it was becoming a matter of Adrasia's safety. With this knowledge and his suspicions about Halloween, he was even more glad that he'd decided to place this claim now.

The fact that Adrasia seemed to think it was in some way even partially his fault for the other councilman's actions was incredibly ludicrous. "It's nearly impossible not to be goaded by that man unless you ignore him entirely and refuse to respond. I have every confidence that it was in no way your fault. He did it, he chose to do it, he's the only one to blame for it." Roland's tone was firm, hoping Adrasia listened to him on that score rather than continue to insist there was anything he could've done to prevent it or that he'd somehow caused it to happen. The wings were a welcome distraction and perhaps it was a little bold to ask to touch them, given the reaction and the way Adrasia looked at him, and the vampire's expression softened. "I've never yet hurt you, mon ange, and I don't intend to." He felt he'd said that before but perhaps Adrasia would need to hear it multiple times before he finally started believing it.

It seemed he did since he turned his back towards him, imploring care and Roland nodded. "Of course." He lifted one hand and gently ran his fingertips down along the feathers in the middle of one of his wings, pleased to feel they were in fact as soft as they looked. "Are they quite sensitive?" Roland was assuming so if even among other celestials they didn't touch them much, though celestials were strange about many things. Still with exceeding gentleness he let his fingers sink in a little more though didn't pull or tug, just trying to feel more with his hand. He caressed with fingers and palm, stroking first down to follow the feathers then slowly moved his touch inward, more towards the base of the wings where they connected to Adrasia's back. "Is this still all right?" Roland's tone was gentle, a little quieter. He very much liked it and the opportunity to touch the wings and feathers which were both like and unlike that of a bird. They were similar in look and shape but infinitely softer and somehow more delicate and powerful at the same time. If this went well and pleased them both, Roland had a feeling he might be asking to see Adrasia's wings on a somewhat regular basis.

[curiousaur]

we're so back

[swingstep]

...If that is what you say.

[amystarrstuff]

part 5 (part 4)

[doom-dreaming]

remember when i said i'd been thinking about a roleswap au. well ,

[f1cflcfic]

Won't Say I'm In Love (SMAU ft. Lando Norris) - part x

pairing: lando norris x tennis player!reader (fem!y/n); past carlos alcaraz x tennis player!reader (fem!y/n)

summary: As a general rule, y/n does not date athletes. You've been there, done that - would not recommend. Besides, you definitely don't do love. There's no time in the world for complicated feelings when there's a career Grand Slam to be won. But what if your heart just refuses to listen?

genre: social meda/mixed au, friends to lovers

note: this is RPF and is obviously in no way, shape, or form reflective of real persons and/or events

series: part i | part ii | part iii | part iv | part v | part vi | part vii | part viii | part ix | ...

bonus: one, two, three

May 25, 2025

May 26 - May 29, 2025

[Excerpt: Press Conference Y/N L/N] "That was quite the match. How do you feel about the conduct violation and the subsequent fine you'll be paying? Do you feel like that's a fair call?"

Y/N shifts in her seat and shrugs. "It's already done, so what does it matter how I feel?"

"Do you feel like Roland Garros should be taking better measures to ensure these type of crowd interruptions don't happen?"

She shakes her head. "Honestly, there's really not much else to say about this topic. I'm glad that the person was removed, to me that is what really was disgraceful. Interrupting a match with the sole purpose of antagonising a player."

"It did feel like the tide was against you here today, and yet you came out on top. Despite a lot of fans cheering for Garcia, a lot of fans cheering for anyone that's not you because of your ex - and yet you won. Did you prepare for that mentally?"

"You always try and consider both the physical and mental aspects of each match, and what's going to make them a unique battle. Having a crowd be passionate about their home favourite is fine and to be expected, that doesn't bother me. At least they're excited and invested in tennis. What bothers me is the personal comments, and honestly? I'm really tired of constantly being put in the box of being Carlos' ex. We are both over it and have moved on, so."

"We were just in a press conference with Carlos. He didn't know about any of this, but seemed taken aback by what had happened and said he doesn't think this behavior by fans belongs in tennis. Has he reached out over the incident?"

Y/N hesitates, then speaks up again. "That's nice of him. But he's not responsible for what his fans do, and he's also playing a tournament here. I don't need or expect him to defend me."

May 30 - May 31, 2025

June 1 - June 5, 2025

[Excerpt Press Conference Elina Svitolina]

"That was a very exciting match. It seemed at the start like you had a good chance of besting your own record here at Roland Garros."

"Yes, I had a good preparation for the tournament this year. Strasbourg and Roland-Garros were both great tournaments for me. I love the physicality of clay as a surface, and it would've been nice to continue onwards, but it wasn't meant to be."

"Where do you think things went wrong?"

"You know, I started out quite strong but the rain delays and the switch from one court to another was quite distracting. I lost my momentum there. At the same time, Y/N is just a very strong player. One of the best in the world right now, so I really don't feel too bad about losing. I do think I didn't maximise maybe all the opportunities I had to make it more difficult for her, though. Still, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6 isn't the worst score."

"Lastly, you had your family here today. Does it make these tournaments extra special, after coming back from retirement to be with them?"

"Of course it does. My husband Gael [Monfils] obviously knows the sport very well, and I've always felt it's an advantage to have a relationship with someone who understands what matters most to you in the world. Having that stability and support is so important, but also to know there's more to life than tennis - as difficult as it is to say that sometimes in places like these. It's the truth. I wanted a family, and I was fortunate enough to have a child. You can't have both at the same time, as a woman. Not with a sports career."

"Do you think documentaries and series like Break Point help in making viewers understand those trade-offs a bit better, and the behind the scenes dynamics of high-level tennis?"

"It's hard to capture the unfiltered, unedited stories I think. But if it gets people interested in tennis, then it's a good thing. I just hope they watch for the right reasons, and it doesn't end with people yelling at players. I was very taken aback by that here. Because we're not characters in a fictional story - we're real people and we all hold a lot of respect for each other. Even when we're opponents on the court."

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘ ∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘∘•···············•∘

A/N: HALLELUJAH they're in the city of love and y/n is finally realising she might have a crush...

next part available here

♥ likes, comments, reblogs and asks are always very much appreciated - i love chatting and hearing your thoughts! ♥

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[adrasian]

for @councillor-roland

He had stopped worrying at some point about the consequences, come the next day. Perhaps come the next hour. Adrasia's drunken thoughts were too slippery to wrestle into coherent shape at the moment and the most solid of them had been around how badly his feet hurt. He had taken to carrying one sandal, the one that had broken again after he fled, then both when that proved too uncomfortable, but the street was hardly any kinder on his soles. Why had he been in the street? For a moment's break from Euphoria's oppression, Adrasia remembered now, but it had been far longer than a moment.

He could hear low hum of party-goers still chattering as they walked through the square and the distant sound of music still pouring from the clubs. He would have to summon the courage to go back there, though the celestial couldn't remember why. He was shivering slightly, his costume half-pulled around his shoulders like a cloak, the cold stone of the fountain's edge seeping through the fabric he sat on and chilling his thighs. All he'd thought was how nice the water would feel on his feet. They certainly weren't sore anymore, that was blessing. But it was so late. He had to go back.

Adrasia summoned up his willpower, extracting his legs from the fountain slowly as if he was moving through honey. Still too fast, the lamplights were spinning dangerously. He only managed to half-turn himself, perched side saddle on the stone with his damp calves folded under him before he grunted and braced a hand against the stone. Only the click of heels on the cobbles roused the celestial from his trance, the faintest lingering caution making Adrasia try to lift his drooping head. The other was only a smudge against the trees before the sight of him coalesced to something real and solid, the celestial making a soft noise of surprise in recognition. "Oh. Hello, Roland," His voice sounded faint even to him, completely lacking his normal formality. "It's you. I think I need - to apologize to you."

[gwyndolence]

Mon petit, I know how fond of this type of fashion you are and thought the feathers were especially fitting. If you're going to dress like this anyway you might as well have excellent pieces. I haven't forgotten my promise to spoil you, either, and the second item might just make it easier, non? Joyeux Noel, Roland

x

[dllrnr]

Here is a sequel to the mutt post!!

I haven't made a good reference sheet in a while so I'm just piecing things together for him, but I'm so happy with how he's turning out

(ft. Roland at the end even though they're for different games)

would you give this dog a bone

[adrasian]

There was the silence again, creeping into Adrasia's heart and infecting him with doubt. He gazed at Roland's unreadable expression with a hesitant look to his own, wondering if he should take his leave regardless, before the vampire leaned up again to gently take his face. Oh. Adrasia's eyes slid closed before Roland's lips even reached his, a bittersweet pang of something sounding in his chest as the master kissed him. It lingered for so long, over the span of many breaths that Roland didn't need and the celestial held regardless, his heart thudding hard and steady beneath his ribs, strangely calm in the midst of this strange intimacy. It was - inappropriate, for either of them. It was brutally tender. Adrasia inhaled deeply as Roland finally broke away, eyes darting up again just in time to catch the other's empty smile. Something very nearly made sense to him then. A goodbye kiss, a reluctant one. How much closure had the vampire gotten, in this newest heartbreak?

There was nothing more to say. Adrasia nodded slowly as Roland pulled back and made for his robe, finding his own clothing as the master was busy with his phone, the celestial's gaze already distant in the whirl of his own thoughts. There was no post-coital bashfulness now, if only because he was too busy trying to put the pieces together to remember to feel it. And besides, Roland was hardly leering from his bed at a bare and blushing slave like he had been once before. Vampires had always seemed unchangeable creatures in the angel's mind, living funerary monuments to their own sins, the triumph of ego that lived on long after the mortal body that had contained it was corrupted for good. It felt bizarre to recall that first version of Roland as Adrasia tried to contend with the one before him now. Then they were both clothed again, the slave staring at the back of that golden head as if he could intuit what was going on in Roland's mind if he only looked hard enough. It might be far more simple than he was first willing to believe. Far more human.

"I'll bid you goodnight then, councilman," Adrasia said softly before he left him, letting the matter and the strangeness lie -- at least for a little while. He would have more than enough time to try to make the pieces fit together from his bed in the Undercroft again.

END

Adrasia said he understood and it seemed he truly did, not that he was just saying it. Was the angel even capable of insincerity? It hadn't seem that way in all Roland's interactions with him. Perhaps that was why he'd been drawn into asking what he had, to sharing as much as he had because of that sincerity, that earnestness that seemed so much a part of the other man. It was dangerous, in a way, but Roland couldn't help but be grateful for it at the same time. It was rare that he opened up to people he wasn't already close to and it was only because Adrasia had caught him in such a vulnerable state...but still. It was different, even special, perhaps. Adrasia had understood on a deeper level, as well, what it was to be abandoned, he'd confirmed it. It was a link between them even if it was only shared pain. Or perhaps Roland was just so desperate for connection of any kind right now that he was grasping at straws. Still, what had happened here was hardly ordinary for him and when he had the energy, if ever he did again, he would have to think more carefully about that and what it meant.

The angel didn't argue when Roland said he should send him back, started to pull away and Roland closed his eyes but let him go, his hand sliding over his chest until Adrasia had pulled too far away and it fell to the bedding. He needed to get up and find his phone to summon the guards but he barely felt like he could sit up let alone do any of that, though he opened his eyes when the angel asked his question. Was he hesitant to go? Roland looked at him from where he lay for a long moment without answering then slowly did push himself up, moved across the small space between them slowly, cupped his face and kissed him one more time. It was slow, long and lingering, a sort of wordless farewell and maybe a last desperate bid for a moment longer of connection. He drew it out, holding him there gently before he finally pulled back and looked at him for a moment. "Just that." His lips quirked upwards in a ghost of a sad smile before he finally drew back, his hand falling away and forcing himself out of the bed, to the abandoned robe on the ground where he found his phone in the pocket. It only took a moment to send a message to one of the guards. "They'll be here in a few minutes." He didn't look at Adrasia as he spoke, having clawed back a little distance, a little numbness again as he pulled the robe back on slowly. Best to let him go. If he looked at him again he'd just keep him here and who knew what else he'd let slip out if that happened? No, Adrasia had done enough, had helped in all the ways he could, and it was best to leave it at that.

[swingstep]

she said, "it just feels inhumane to lose this much." 'cause when you leave, you know you take more than your love.

[unproduciblesmackdown]

aaah lsoh pics!!! ft. their corpse-flower-inspired audrey ii!!

[unproduciblesmackdown]

[three3two22]

My aroace Roland propaganda before pride month ends (ft. another half-assed braid)