“Hm.” He pretended to think about it, hiding away the real anxiety that began to seep into him. “I’m not sure. I’m about to ask for something sort of crazy, so you might decide to run screaming. Maybe beforehand would be better…”
Slowly, Cullen shifted away, a small tinge of alarm coming to his face. “Are you proposing?”
Leviathan grinned, amused by the fear that flickered in his eyes at the very human idea. “No, but this might be arguably worse.”
When Cullen started to draw away from him, his eyes wide, Leviathan wrapped a firm arm around his waist and reached for the necklace. Cullen sucked in a breath like he hadn't felt the magic thrumming off it till now. Leviathan held it between them, hesitating again before he forced out his next words.
“How much do you trust me?”
Cullen hesitated, looking uneasy. “Why?”
Leviathan ran a slow thumb over the jewel. “This is a cursed pendant, Cullen. When it’s gifted–and accepted–it binds the soul of the giver and the receiver. This will make it so that if one of us gets hurt or dies or…leaves…we will still be able to feel each other. We will share some powers and our souls will merge.” He pressed a thumb to the jewel again. “I would like to give this to you.” He paused. “And I would like to make it…potent.”
“Potent?” He echoed, looking a bit pale. “It sounds pretty potent all on its own.”
He smiled, hesitating again.
“If I put it around your heart,” he said slowly. “Then if one of us dies, the other shall die as well.”
Cullen sucked in a breath, his face going even paler. “I…I don’t understand. Around my heart?
And…why would either of us die? I’m immortal now, aren't I?’ He drew away from him, suddenly looking fearful. “Wait, I am, right?! I’m not aging anymore?!”
“You are immortal.” He promised softly. “You will forever be eighteen.” He couldn’t help the displeasure that flickered on his face. “A bit young for me, really, but I’ll simply have to get over it.”
Color stained his cheeks. “Don’t make it sound so awful.”
He chuckled and placed a hand over his heart. It slammed against his fingers, matching the terror on Cullen’s face. “I wish to take this out, put this necklace around it, and put it back in, to seal the curse with your heart.”
His lips parted in shock, the terror in his eyes going more wild, his gaze flickering back and forth as if he were seeing something that wasn’t there.
“I…I would die…” He choked out finally. His hands were ice cold on Leviathan’s shoulders now, even through his shirt.
“You wouldn’t.” Leviathan assured him. He cupped his face then, tapping his forehead to his. “I would never do permanent damage to your body, pet. This won’t even leave a scar.”
He inhaled shakily. “I’m not sure…”
“You said you’d rather die than be separated from me,” hereminded him softly. “Did you not mean that?”
“I-I…did…” He whispered, his whole body beginning to tremble. “But I…”
“You can say no.” He whispered, lowering the necklace. “I will not pressure you into such a thing.”
He hesitated, his throat giving several hard bobs before he whispered, “I won’t die?”
“Of course not.” He murmured. “I would never hurt you that way.”
Another long, slow hesitation, Cullen’s heart thrumming faster and faster… And then, slowly, he reached for the edge of his shirt, drawing it off and tossing it to the side. Leviathan held his breath, his eyes wide, and, after another long moment, Cullen gave him a shaky nod. His breaths were ragged though; Leviathan found himself hesitating.
“It’s okay.” Cullen assured him, though his body was shaking even harder now. “I can do it. I want to do it.” He blew out a slow breath, clutching at his shoulders. “Do it.”
He hesitated, brushing his thumb along his cheek. “We don’t need to.”
Cullen scowled, his hand dropping to his wrist. He dragged his hand down and put it over his heart.
“I can handle it. I want it.”
Slowly, Leviathan curled his fingers, letting his claws sing into his skin. Cullen winced–and then held very still, his breaths cutting off and his body tensing. Leviathan paused again, waiting for him to push him away and cry out to stop. But Cullen only squeezed his eyes closed, looking very focused. Leviathan paused.
