"I'm not doing it," Kieran said finally. "I'm not forcing you into immortality because of a deadline."
"It's not forcing if I choose it," Adrian pointed out.
"You're only choosing because you're being threatened. That's not a real choice."
Adrian stood, pacing. "So what's the alternative? Let some vampire cult drain me for a resurrection ritual? Die and never see you again?"
"We fight. We find every vampire loyal to Viktor's cause and eliminate them. We stop the ritual before it can happen."
"In three months? Against vampires who've been planning this for who knows how long?"
Kieran's jaw clenched. "I've faced worse odds."
"But this isn't just about you anymore. It's about me too. And I—" Adrian stopped, realizing what he was about to say. "I don't want to die. Not now. Not when I finally found you again."
Kieran stood, crossing to him. "I won't let that happen."
"You might not have a choice."
"There's always a choice."
Adrian looked up at him, at this ancient being who'd give up everything to protect him. "What if I want to become a vampire? Not because I'm being threatened, but because I want to spend lifetimes with you, not just decades?"
"Adrian—"
"Hear me out. I've been thinking about it since you first mentioned the possibility. About what it would mean to be immortal, to have time to learn and grow and experience everything the world has to offer." Adrian took Kieran's hands. "And yeah, the timing sucks, and the circumstances are terrible. But maybe... maybe this is meant to be? Maybe this is how our story is supposed to go?"
"The transformation is agony," Kieran said quietly. "Three days of pain so intense most humans don't survive it. Your body has to die completely before it can be reborn as vampire. I'd have to drain you almost to the point of death, then feed you my blood, then watch you suffer for three days while you either transform or die. And I'd be helpless to stop it."
"But you survived it."
"I didn't have a choice. The witch transformed me without my consent." Kieran's expression was haunted. "I wouldn't wish that on anyone, least of all you."
Adrian pulled him close, wrapping his arms around Kieran's waist. "I need time to think about it. Three months, apparently."
"We'll find another way."
"Promise me something," Adrian said against Kieran's chest. "Promise me you'll at least consider it as an option. Not as a last resort, but as a real possibility. I don't want to make this decision under pressure three months from now. I want to make it thoughtfully, with all the information."
Kieran was quiet for a long moment. "I promise. But you have to promise me something too."
"What?"
"Promise me you'll live these three months fully. Experience everything. Make sure this is really what you want, not just what you think I want or what circumstances are forcing."
"I promise."
They held each other as the morning sun climbed higher, both thinking about choices and consequences and the heavy weight of time.