Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 86: The Other Nephilim

"Tiana," Oberyn repeated. He could feel the stars in his eyes as he envisioned her. Her long, flowing hair - her otherworldly grace. Even among the Nephilim, blessed with their uncanny beauty, she was a star.

"I never know what to say about my past, Rav. She always had this shy side to her. It didn’t matter who she was around. She always hid her smile. Never spoke up about the things that bothered her...but when it was just the two of us, her and me, she never had that look in her eyes. She was confident, always smiling. Happy."

"Precious!" Rav had a big, stupid grin on his face. "And that the first thing you think of isn’t how she makes you feel, but how you make her feel...so romantic!"

"Yeah, I suppose so..."

Rav smiled wistfully. "It’s just how I think about Bree, you know." He looked toward the wall. Some scattered mementos decorated the mantle of a large fireplace. One of them seemed to remind him of Bree - he always looked to the mantle when he spoke about her, even if just for a fleeting moment.

"Bree? The...bird girl? But I thought you and Alcor were -"

"When I think about Bree," Rav interrupted, "All I want is for her to be happy. Whatever her perfect life is, I want her to have it. Do you know what I mean?"

Though his words were still sloppy and his movements still exaggeratedly drunk, Rav began to speak with higher purpose.

"Yeah," Oberyn said. "Of course. We wish that for all of our friends, don’t we?"

"She’s...not just a regular friend to me," Rav elaborated. "I’m loathe to admit it, but I’m not involved in her life as much as I’d like to be. I suppose that also rings true for you with Tiana, hm?"

"Oh yeah. That’s an understatement."

Oberyn almost laughed at the suggestion. More involved? He’d be happy with any involvement - with her, or any of the other Nephilim he left behind. He missed his family and friends so dearly that at times it made him almost sick.

But in those dark moments, he had Ezra. Someone who he felt at home with.

Suddenly, he felt ashamed at how he’d left things off with their conversation earlier.

"So, the way you feel about Tiana is remarkably similar to how I feel about Bree," Rav smiled. "And it’s quite similar to the way that Ezra feels about you, isn’t it?"

Oberyn blinked a few times. "I...think it’s more complicated than that, Rav," he said, somewhat defensive.

"I love Bree."

The words were so fast and sharp that it nearly stole Oberyn’s breath - the intensity at which they were spoken shook him and burrowed his mind completely into the shared moment he was having with Rav.

"And I was once in love with Bree. But even now, even as my mind wonders ’what could have been’ sometimes...I know that love is more platonic than romantic. Bree is like family to me. So was her brother...and once, her father, as well."

Oberyn had no idea where Rav was headed next - the following words shocked him to his core.

"I believe one day, this is how you’ll find you feel about Tiana. You can always love someone. You likely always will. But to be in love - romantic love - it takes two. And right now, Ezra is starved for your reciprocation. So, if that silly human said something to upset you, try to think about it from his point of view, hm? Imagine how frustrated you are about Tiana - now magnify it a hundredfold, because you’re right there in front of him and it’s still not enough."

Oberyn covered his mouth with his hand. Is that really how Ezra felt? Had he somehow not recognized how similar their paths were, and truly refused to acknowledge Ezra’s pain?

Rav didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

"I think I’ve really messed up," Oberyn said, looking down at his feet as realization crept in.

"Aw, that’s okay! You’re young! And you’ve known Tiana forever. How could you have known?"

His eyes began to feel weepy, but he fought back the urge. Oberyn wouldn’t allow himself to cry in front of Rav. It was a vulnerability he feared most of all.

"What does it all mean then, Rav? I don’t...know how to handle my feelings. Not for Tiana, and definitely not for Ezra."

The faint smell of the Calico herb yet lingered in the air - keeping things minty and fresh in the den. A soft contrast to the grimness of the moment.

"Luckily for you, there’s nothing you have to do at the moment. But...cut Ezra some slack, hm? He may be frustrated, but not with you. He just...is very eagerly awaiting the day you may feel the same way about him."

"I do...I mean...I think I already do..." Oberyn sighed. "You know, Rav. It wasn’t even an argument about our feelings for each other. Ezra’s pretty understanding about it, and about how I feel. The argument was actually...about you."

Rav’s ears flattened immediately.

"Uh oh."

Oberyn laughed quickly, dispelling some of the looming tension in a moment. "No, it’s okay!" he clarified. "Just the usual stuff. I think your flirting gets a little under his skin..."

Rav clicked his tongue, his tail twitching in surprise.

"Yeah. Alcor was always mad about that, too. Those otherworlders, am I right?"

"Indeed," Oberyn said, leaning back. He looked at Rav curiously.

"He did say that you and I were free to do whatever we want, though," Oberyn chuckled nervously.

Rav smirked and immediately rose to his feet. He sauntered in front of Oberyn and eyed him up and down.

"He gave permission, did he?"

Rav’s tail curled into a spiral behind him.

"Yes, Master Rav."

Another tail twitch. He enjoyed his new title.

Rav leaned in close. Closer. Only inches away from Oberyn. He could sense the Nephilim tensing up.

And then -

He smacked Oberyn on the head with his fan.

"Go to bed. If you’re really so down bad, Ezra can help you out with that. You and I can play together, some day - but if that day were today, I think you’d come to regret it. Ta-ta, little Nephilim."