“You told me to ‘grow strong.” Willas had no idea what he was getting at since Oberyn clearly remembered.
“And you did,” Oberyn replied simply.
Willas let out a harsh laugh devoid of humor.
“Oh yes. Very strong. Look at me now. A vigorous specimen if you’ve ever seen one, I’m sure.” Willas knew he sounded bitter and petulant, something he had spent years trying to avoid. The last person he wanted to sound that way in front of was Oberyn.
Oberyn contemplated him for a while until Willas grew uncomfortable under his intense gaze and began to cast about for something else to say to alleviate his awkwardness.
“But you did,” Oberyn responded, at last. “I see no wilted rose here. A thrashed rose, to be sure, but it retains thorns and petals, and that is what makes a rose, is it not?”
“I don’t know that I have any thorns really, and petals? What good are those anyway?” He didn’t know why he was arguing the point. He wanted to kick himself for continuing to wallow in woe and self-pity.
“You have thorns aplenty, of that I am sure. Your mind is sharp and your spirit strong.” Oberyn gazed at him for another moment before a small smile curled up the sides of his mouth and he added, “and a petal is a fine thing, beautiful to gaze upon and sweet-smelling; this world would be an ugly, dull place without its petals.”
Oberyn/Willas WIP sneak peek... #ASOIAF #fanfiction #oberyn #willas
