26. You Never Asked

"I'm loosing control Elric. Usually, your dick is your compass navigating you to anyone it itches for and now I feel like I've become like you, panting after Yeon so desperately."

"Well this is what you get for having a fuckboy for a friend..."

"A decision I regret to date." They were driving to Stan's parents house. Stan had called Elric looking for Yeon whom had managed to sneak out of his place that when he'd woken up, and found himself alone in his apartment.

"I can't believe you two didn't have sex..."

"I promised myself to have it when he wasn't in heat...I want him to remember me Elric..."

"He only needs to remember your dick asshole. If you're not going to do it, I'll be happy to help out."

Sighing aloud, Stan looked at his best fried and wondered why he'd accepted for him to tag along with him during his trip. Elric was exhausting to be around. "Just pay attention to the road and stop thinking about what's not yours."

Folding his hands across his chest, Stan stared ahead. The situation with Yeon had greatly caused him concussion.Yeon really be afraid of him. Closing his eyes, he recalled the dream he'd had repetitively of Yeon.

Yeon had rejected to pair up with him so he'd confessed being fated to each other.

"If we complete your marking, you won't have to hide your scent anymore since our scents will be neutralized with each other and I would also be able to control mine with you. What do you have to loose when I already like you?"

"You don't like me, if it weren't for us being fated, would you have looked my way?"

Stan remembered Yeon's words clearly and even in his conscious state, he still couldn't bring himself to answer that question. It had been satisfying watching Yeon when he wasn't aware, discovering his interests and his relaxed personality off campus. Stan was convinced he wanted to be around him, spend time with him, share in his hobbies even if he himself didn't enjoy it. All that mattered was to see Yeon smile one more time...hopefully smile at him without being nervous about going into heat.

By now, Stan had learned to regulate releasing his scent without provoking Yeon much. The moment Yeon had fallen asleep on his chest, he hated himself for pushing him too hard, not understanding how difficult of a time Yeon was having and him being his fated mate should hold himself accountable for making Yeon reactive. Come to think of it, Yeon had gone into heat whenever they were together...three times to be exact. Maybe thats why he felt Stan was only attracted to him just because they were fated....or it could be just Stan's fears since Yeon seems still unaware of Stan's ability to manipulate scents.

"Mijin...does she know about Yeon and I being fated?" Stan broke the silence after a while.

"How could I dissuade her from the obvious truth. Besides, she is just as smart as her brother. Did you know she is an aeronautical engineer?"

"You two must have really discussed a lot about each other Elric, to think you also knew she had a boyfriend too...:

"I'm not a romantic like you Stan, I'm more realistic, reacting to instinct. Mijin is an amazing woman, I'd have probably dated her if she wasn't with that needy boyfriend of hers."

"Stop spouting nonsense ..."

"Yea, you're right. If she wasn't repulsed by my scent, I'd have paired up with her...in another life..." Elric said while laughing at his statement. "...seriously though, she is really hot."

"Says the guy that wanted to bed her brother." Stan could feel anger rising in him but he knew from experience it was pointless to reason with Elric. He just didn't care.

"Yeon's different. His amazing scent made me start paying attention to him and for once my eyes saw beyond the tough exterior he wears. He is more like my mother, trying to fight destiny even though he knows it's a loosing battle, except that Yeon may be having it rough. He seems unaware he's already fated with a bastard like you and secondly, the abuse he underwent was an unforgivable crime. What intentions did you think those culprits had for him?"

"The police said there have been a couple of missing persons reports in the country. I'm guessing they were kidnapping him to use him for sex slavery. Why else would they mark him, multiple times at that just to leave him vulnerable to unpredictable heat cycles?"

"How horrific...people do that? Couldn't they just ask him nicely for sex? Why ruin someone's life like that?"

"Unfortunately, people are not as polite as you are when it comes to sex..." Glancing at Elric, Stan added, "...do not mistake that for a complement either asshole."

Laughing, Elric added, "It's my decision how I choose to perceive your words Stan, so thank you for the complement."

"Agh! I've had it with you!" Stan exclaimed, hitting Elric's arm who tried to block his friend as one of his hands remained on the steering wheel.

"Chill out, you're dads are outside and I'd gladly snitch on you!"

Stan looked ahead to watch his parents standing at the porch, waving at them excitedly.

"Hey I'm your son not him!" Stan complained, disappointed that his parents payed more attention to Elric than him. They ignored him after which Stan left for his old room for a quick nap. He was awoken later when lunch was ready and afterwards, one of his dad's finally noticed him when he asked how he had been doing.

"Don't ask him now, he's jealous we've been ignoring him." Elric said enthusiastically, a glass of water in his hand as he sat down on the couch next to Stan.

"Dads! You never allow me to have drinks over while sitting on the couch!" Stan complained as he tried to snatch the glass of water from Elric who quickly stood up, distancing himself from Stan.

"That's because you always stain everything. Elric here is much more considerate of how hard your fathers had to work to afford their only son a comfortable home."

"This is pointless..." Stan finally surrendered, slumbering back on the couch lazily. "I'll cut to the chase as to why I came here..."

"He found his fated mate!" Elric exclaimed, cutting Stan short and excited to piss him off at that.

"Stannie this is great news!"They both glanced at Elric then one of them asked, "Is it you child?"

"What, no! I'm horrified that you'd think that!" Stan exclaimed. "I'd rather die! And please dads, stop calling me that, I'm not a kid anymore...this is why I don't like coming here..."

"You're being disrespectful to your parents Stannie." Elric said as he sat beside his best friend's parents. He was enjoying this. He knew this was the only place Stan wouldn't lift a finger to hurt him in the presence of his parents whatever the consequences afterwards. With the sinister look Stan was wearing, it was obvious it wouldn't be easy.

"Look, I only found out a few weeks ago dads, and it was someone I hardly spent time with."

"Yes, it's true," Elric jumped in. "Stannie risked his life to save the guy...."

"Guy? You often insisted on being with a woman," One of them said.

"Even so honey, he doesn't have much of a choice when it comes to fated mates. It's everyone's dream to meet their fated mate," the other dad responded then returned his gaze towards his son. "When can we meet him?"

"That'd be difficult since Stannie here hates him..." Elric answered before Stan could respond.

"What did you do this time?" One of the dad's responded, shooting an angry eye at Stan. "I've always warned you to control that mouth of yours...now see where it's gotten you into." Glancing at Elric, he asked, "Elric, what did he do this time?"

"Well...he did save his life from kidnappers...and tried marking him among other things..."

Both dads returned their gaze back to their son, the look on their faces demanding an explanation. Stan felt cornered, sitting inform of his parents and Elric, who seemed to enjoy the show.

"I never hated him in fact I like him...a lot. I merely acted that way since he vaguely imprinted on me." Stan went on further to explain the entire incident to his parents and Elric butting in to confirm his story.

"You never tell us anything, it's always been Elric here calling to check on us and now you complain why we tend to him more than you? Do you realize how serious this is? Have you any knowledge of caring for your fated mate after scent manifestation? What is the reason that we are your parents if you won't let us help you?"

The other dad tried to calm his partner down while adding, his gaze still at Stan, "don't be too arrogant son to want to handle this situation by yourself. That poor boy must be going through a lot and is just putting an act so as to not receive pity from anyone. We have to meet him and his parents, the sooner the better."

"He has rejected me dad...he ran away from me a few weeks ago and I've been unable to track him down. He's also deferred a semester, I'm guessing to avoid me and our efforts to look for him together with Elric have been futile."

"This is where we step in then. You're equally as vulnerable as he is when it comes to scenting....no wonder you smelled different from the moment you got here, we'd both assumed you found another girlfriend but Elric discouraged us from that thought."

Frustrated, Stan brushed his hair away from his forehead and leaned back on the couch. Of course he knew the urgency of this matter. Being apart from Yeon had left him with insomnia and whenever he'd slumber, the same dream kept appearing in his head. Was this another way fated mates communicated though telepathy...or dreams?

"I'm supposed to identify one last culprit who was caught last week. I informed the police I'd be coming with my parents and I'd really like to have you two there. One of them saw my face and called me their 'boss'..."

"What? Stan, you never told me this..." Elric said, a look of disappointment on his face.

"And have your big mouth rumbling about it, no way. Besides, the less you knew the better. I can't tell if my life is in danger...I'm feeling apprehensive about meeting the police."

After a long pause, one of Stan's dad stood and walked to sit beside him. "I commend you for your bravery, however, this issue is bigger than you. After meeting the police, we will meet with your boyfriend's parents to further discuss this matter. If they agree, we are willing to take good care of their son and train you to control your scent and your silly temper so you can be a good mate to him."

"I've been practicing consistently dad when he was around."

"Lies! Last time, you roared at me and his sister which provoked him to go into heat then you stole him away..." Elric confessed.

"What? Did you use the power of fated mates?"

Judging from both parent's reaction, Stan couldn't help stuttering. "I...I don't know what came over me...I just wanted to protect him..."

"Honey, are we too late? You and I aren't fated but surely, we both know what he did was wrong." Both dads were looking at each other, frightened by the thoughts that ran though their minds.

"You know my parents were fated mates so I might relate to the situation he is in right now. If Stannie did that, it was only thought reflex...which is also what lead to my father's passing. He used that power a lot and knowing how exhausting it can be to purposely let out scent. For fated mates, it's different since that power is a combination of all manipulated scents. It just doesn't drain the spiritual essence of the one using it, it also takes away the peace from them, leaving them weak, unable to control their scents. I look at that as poison which if taken in large quantities, leaves the body unable to defend itself. Therefore, if Stannie were to use that power frequently, which does not only affect his fated mate but also those around him, sooner, he'd go into shock from a severe heart attack."

The last time Stan had seen Elric explain a situation so seriously was when they were in kindergarten and Stan had asked him why his mom was always the one who picked him up. Afterwards, they'd become friends. Besides, seeing Elric explain the situation so passionately, Stan couldn't comprehend why after going though what he went through having fated mates as parents, Elric still wanted to find his fated mate.

"Then it's decided. After meeting the police, we shall meet the boy's parents. There is no more delaying this matter."

"Even so, he differed ...." Stan said but Elric was quick to interrupt him.

"His sister told me he is staying with his parents. If I ask her, I'm sure his parents wouldn't refuse the idea since from the way his sister spoke of his brother, he wasn't in good shape either." Glancing at Stan's furious face, Elric added, "Sorry bro I couldn't tell you anything. I made a promise to Mijin and besides, I still hoped to win Yeon's heart but seeing the turn of events, I can't foster that hope any longer."

"Thank you Elric for always being a good friend to Stannie here even tough he doesn't seem to appreciate it." One of Stan's dad extended a comforting hand to Elric who gladly accepted. Stan's parents were also his. Moreover, they'd always kept an extra room with his stuff whenever he'd visit with or without Stan.

"Do you think we can meet them tomorrow?" Oe of the dad's asked looking concerned.

"Actually, his parents will be going to the police station tomorrow too so you may bump into them. Yeon's sister informed me yesterday they needed to find out if Yeon's imprint had weakened on those criminals."

"You never told me this you idiot!" Stan exclaimed accusingly.

Smilling mischievously, Elric answered, "You never asked idiot."