Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 42: Ravager

"Love the commando look, by the way, I don't care what Ezra says," Rav yawns, hopping up and sitting on the counter as Oberyn makes sandwiches.

Not exactly 'cooking', but Oberyn is satisfied.

"Commando?" he asked, unfamiliar with the term.

Rav didn't bother to answer, already off to the next thing.

"The Magician of Explosions, hm?"

Oberyn's eyes lifted, eying Rav suspiciously. A rare moment of posturing for Oberyn.

"Yeah. What of it?"

"I knew the last one. Good guy. A little...how can I say this...bombastic? You must have awoken your powers recently. He only died a couple years ago."

"I awoke my power about three months ago."

"Impressive! That must be the Nephilim touch. You carry yourself like a Magician of many years."

"Thanks."

Oberyn was none too friendly with Rav, who was trying his hardest to connect with the icy fireball - a paradox indeed.

"Well..."

Rav took a deep breath. Talking to people had never been a challenge to him before, but Oberyn had been a tough nut to crack. Maybe they really kid get off on the wrong foot.

"Listen, I suppose I'll just come out and say it. Your curse mark is problematic to me, but it's not without recourse. In fact, Ezra and I are going to do some work toward getting that squared away tomorrow. But, assuming that is successful..."

His voice trailed off. He wondered if he was about to say the right thing.

"...Then I'd like you to move in here, with Ezra and I. You don't have to stay forever - I can already see your wheels spinning. But I would like to take you on as my disciple, and teach you the ways of a Magician. Maybe you had a mentor in Asteria, but I have to assume you're not on speaking terms with them anymore, considering you murdered the Curse Master."

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Rav coughed. "Which, by the way, won't have earned you any favor with the other Magicians. Those who still bear curse marks will suffer greatly as a result of your actions."

"Others would have suffered far more if I did nothing," Oberyn spat. "Demetrius was an evil man, who wanted to take advantage of me. I was not his first, but I made sure I was his last."

Oberyn's words sent a shiver even down Rav's spine - there are some things no amount of leveling or worldly experience can prepare a person for. Oberyn's rage was one of them.

The Nephilim could be surprisingly intense, for one so delicate and unassuming. And pants-less.

"So, I did just make you a very generous offer..."

Oberyn and Rav locked eyes. "You want to help me with my curse, and train me to be a stronger Magician? I'd be a fool not to accept, but why? I don't understand why you put yourself out there so much for me - or for Ezra. What's your real goal?"

Rav closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"You really want to know, hm?" Rav asked, his usually cocky and bratty voice trimmed down to a low, somber whisper.

"It's the story of a foolish Ferin named Ravager, who saved the world and thought he'd never face hardship again. And the story of a foolish human. One named Alcor, who lost his way."

"So, my assumption was correct. You're doing this all for Alcor."

Rav smiled, albeit hesitantly. This wasn't wholly unlike the conversation that nearly triggered a battle between them, except now Ezra wasn't around to intervene.

"Alcor was my lover - as an astute Magician like you surely must have guessed by now. And, call me a romantic, but seeing Ezra in my old flame's body makes it hard not to root for him, wouldn't you say? I'm a big proponent of cross-species relationships."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means that I'm loyal to Ezra. And Ezra, obviously, is loyal to you. So, one could say that makes you and I loyal to each other by association."

"If you say so."

Oberyn's voice was friendlier than it had been earlier. Rav was making sense, and he was starting to warm up to the Ferin. After all, the catboy could be a little shit sometimes, but it was hard to deny how endearing he was.

Inappropriate behavior aside.

"I'm glad we're on the same page. It's settled, then? You'll stay here, and I'll help you become the strongest Magician there ever was."

Rav had another thought, but one he dared not speak aloud.

'And maybe you can save Ezra, where I failed to save Alcor.'

"I'll consider it - if your plan to fix my curse works."

It was a soft yes - Oberyn was still too prideful to accept outright. But he knew it was his next best move.

They sat with their lingering tension for just a moment as Oberyn finished making the sandwiches. Just then, Ezra popped into the kitchen, still wet from the shower, with his towel draped loosely around his waist.

Rav clacked open his fan to hide his face as his tail curled up into a tight swirl. "My gods, it's like you two are trying to seduce me. Two half-naked, gorgeous men - and one of them just made me a sandwich? Who knew heaven was so close."

Ezra and Oberyn both looked to Rav, their faces red as they stood just inches away from each other.

"Thanks," Ezra said, sliding over one of the plates and taking a bite out of his sandwich.

Oberyn turned his head to face Ezra, his eyes tracing up the defined lines of his stomach and chest before meeting the human's violet eyes. Ezra looked even better wet.

Oberyn tried to take a bite out of his own sandwich as he ogled over Ezra's body, but ended up biting his own tongue instead. Ouch.

The three of them ate in relative silence, as they all tried to ignore the other delectable offerings - each other. Oberyn could hardly keep his eyes off Ezra, and Ezra fought to stop himself from staring at Oberyn.

Rav, on the other hand, just liked to look at them both as he imagined all the mischief they might get up to if left alone.

But suddenly, halfway through their meal, Rav became alert, focused. He jumped to his feet, and his ears pointed straight forward.

"Put some clothes on, boys," he said quickly. "Someone's coming up the mountain - and fast."