30. This Constant Feeling

"So, do you love your new home?"

Elric and Yeon had been talking for a while in the kitchen, as both of Stan's parents made dinner. Yeon neither felt happy or sad for being here. He loved the area and the neighborhood was quite deserted. He'd meet a few locals from time to time but none seemed to pay much attention to him the moment they found out he was staying with Stan's parents.

This area was nature's heaven. Fresh air, mountains...every morning, he'd walk barefoot on the grass, enjoying the feel of the morning dew underneath his feet. Not forgetting the sound of birds early in the morning, the silent star filled sky in the night and the fresh air that often left him feeling rejuvenated.

Stan's parents had been extremely loving, often spoiling him with food and little gifts they picked up on their way back home. It was a mystery though how they found out his love for caramel flavored ice cream. After a fortnight of staying with them, Yeon found out this home never run out of that same ice cream yet none of them ever had it. It was only whenever Elric visited that they'd both enjoyed as they were now.

"Earth to Yeon..." Elric tapped the dining table with a spoon to catch Yeon's attention before scooping another spoonful of ice cream.

"I...don't know yet." Yeon responded, not wanting to express his true thoughts. "Dad Robin and Joss have been more than welcoming to me."

"Aw poor Yeon, still not comfortable with just calling us dad? We are a family now so Elric, will you not give up on assuring him how much freestyle we are..."

"Honey, don't bother Yeon with that. Stannie was the one who introduced us to him as such so he is only being respectful. If there is anyone to blame for Yeon's discomfort it would be our Stannie who hasn't spent a night here since Yeon came."

Yeon smiled, watching them continue to chatter without turning to look at either him or Elric. In the two weeks, he was able to deduce where Stan got his good looks from...the way he walked, expressed himself, carried himself with such grace. That must have come from Dad Robin since he'd been raised by him most of his childhood after his parents had split up. Dad Robin was also the doctor of the family, often very attentive, anticipating his needs even before he asked for anything.

Dad Joss on the other hand was more than just looks. He was the same height as Stan, metilicious in nature and often followed Dad Robin around. He was more like Niel, except he tended to be extremely needy towards his partner. He was also more hands-on when it came to outdoor activities like mowing the grass, gardening and loved to cook too.

So, where the heck did Stan pick up that temper of his, that domineering possessive personality of his when he'd grown up with such admirable parents?

"How many scents can you let out so far?" Elric asked shamelessly. He couldn't hide his curiosity anymore.

Dad Robin was the one who'd jumped in to save him from answering that question. "Elric, have you finally found yourself a likable individual to introduce us to?"

"Yes Elric, how come you're still single when you have a lot of people panting after you?" Yeon couldn't help but provoke the conversation further. With a smile on his face, he added, "surely you can't be that picky especially since you don't seem to be the type."

Elric was quick to pick up what Yeon and Stan's dads were doing however, according to him, this was such a poor attempt to corner him. They should probably meet his ferocious mother. She was more ruthless and intentional with each of her statements.

"Well you know me now dads, I'm still searching for my fated mate. Some of us are not that lucky to magically bump into our fated mates out of the blue like my parents did and my best friend Stannie. Which reminds me, I've come here three times already and I haven't run into him. I would have thought he'll stick around now that his mate was around...and within reach at that." Elric concluded his final statement, throwing a mischievous look towards Yeon.

"He is finalizing on his project. Though I can't quite comprehend what's keeping him tied up these days. Of all of us, Stannie was the one who'd anticipated Yeon's arrival here the most," Dad Jordan replied as he walked to set the table, urging Elric and Yeon to clear it for dinner. Dad Joss followed later cheerfully after he finished cleaning up.

Post enjoying a delightful dinner, Yeon and Elric left for a walk as Dad Robin left for an emergency call at his clinic, his partner offering to drive him there.

"Don't worry, they are often like that. Stan specifically chose to major in business management so he can help his parents run their clinic." Elric said after noticing Yeon stare at Stan's parents driving away.

"Dad Joss will be returning right?"

"I don't think so. Often times, they end up coming back together since their work is related, not to mention they grew much closer post reconciling after years of staying divorced. Besides, they I cant leave you here alone."

Looking at Elric, Yeon wondered how he knew everything about Stan's family but wasn't compelled to ask him. Stan's parents must really trust him to even create a room for him that he could come to anytime. Moreover, Elric had been the one who frequented coming to see Stan's parents more than their son. Either way, the less Yeon knew about Stan the better. After all, he was planning to leave as soon as his marking was complete.

"Elric, may I ask you a personal question?"

"Shoot." Elric responded so casually, as if he'd answer anything Yeon would ask him.

"You had told me before your parents were fated. I needed to know how your mom manages to live a life without her mate."

Elric could sense the tension Yeon gave out with every word he spoke. "I'm actually very proud of my mother. It's not an easy task fighting for your family. Maybe someday, I'll introduce you to her. Sometimes, her character oozes out of you...the stoic face you wear, hard to read personality, unpredictable and sometimes moody....I believe you two will get along quite well."

"Are you trying to hit on me again?"

"If it's working then yes, I wouldn't mind stealing you from Stan. He abandoned you here alone, his fated mate with such a lovely scent....surely you must know how much scent you're letting out Yeon."

"...not really...other people tell me and whenever I observe their reactions, I try to control it."

Judging from his response, Elric concluded what Yeon said was true. There was just no possible way someone in their right mind would be walking outside releasing such amounts of seductive scents intentionally. Maybe Yeon's nonchalant attitude acted as an advantage in helping him deal with the trauma he had undergone.

"When my mother lost her fated mate, it was difficult at first but I learned a lot from her experience too. That's why somehow I may be able to understand what you are going through. My father died from overusing the power of fated mates. His instinct was always to protect my mother since everyone was against their relationship. I come from a family of lawyers and my parents being descendants of old successful rival law firms, well, let's just say life played a poetic tune on them. From death threats to never ending lawsuits, my father couldn't take it anymore...maybe he wasn't strong enough to protect my mother despite doing his best. In the end, she was left broken yet somehow, without anyone's help, she still rose from the ashes.

She'd often go into heat cycles, locking herself in the room with my father's belongings however, years later, my father's scent died out and she was forced to rely on inhibitors which overtime don't help much. Everyone including myself prays to meet their fated mates but very few pay attention to what happens when one of them is no more. You come from a family of fated mates so I'm sure you relate to this."

"Yes...sometimes that thought crosses my mind whenever I look at my parents...especially my mother. She seems temperamental but it appears she'll be the one hurt the most if something were to happen to my dad."

"As you know, the one who gets marked is the one who ends up falling in love first...however, have you ever wondered why much responsibility lies on the one doing the marking?"

"Not really..."

"Think about it Yeon. For paired couples, it's not a big deal, but for fated mates, like your case, Stan was the one who reacted to your scent which unlocked his scent manifestation and when you got a taste of his scent, yours began. On a normal circumstance, imprinting follows which is often a visual confession from you to him and may last a few minutes, a bit longer for fated mates. When imprinting finalizes, your partner will know exactly how you feel, your true feelings towards them and who they are to you. A love confession is not often ending after letting the person you love know how you feel, it's mostly the beginning of an enormous responsibility on the person being confessed to. They become aware of the other person and that knowledge will remain in their minds for life. That's why anyone that marks their partner is forever bound to them just like my dad was, your mother and dad Joss as you like to call him. In your case, it's Stan."

"...but I didn't imprint on him, neither do I love him..."

"That's what you think Yeon. When Stan found you, the imprinting process was still ongoing. He told me he felt it for a brief moment...like a few seconds and judging from his actions, he says the truth. It may not have been effective, but both your scents somehow bonded and he put you to sleep seeing that you were in pain. I guess at that time, that may have been his instinct to end your pain."

Yeon came to an abrupt halt. What was this new information?

Elric walked and stood face to face with Yeon, studying his confused expression. Smiling, he asked, "Would you like Stan to tell you or should I?"

"Tell me everything Elric." Yeon responded with a stern look on his face. If Stan had hidden this information from him, what are the chances he would still want to keep it hidden?

Elric proceeded to update Yeon on everything he knew from the discussion two weeks ago when they planned to bring Yeon here, as well as the information Stan had told him over the phone the day he had stolen Yeon away from him after their date. He knew Stan would be upset, but a triggered Stan was fun to handle than a composed one.

"Yeon, I'll be leaving tomorrow morning before Stan's parents get back so if you wish, I can tell you everything else you may need to know...."

"No need. I've heard enough for one day Elric."

"Even so, you seem unmoved by the fact that Stan saved your life. One of those guys thought Stan was their boss and he played a long like a fool...so stupid, he could have gotten himself killed."

"I never asked him to save me neither did I ask for any of this. I just want to be left alone."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you wish to be alone? Don't you think you're hurting those who care about you like your parents, sister, Stan's parents...Stan..."

"Stop it Elric. My life stopped being mine the moment he saved it. Everywhere I go people look at me. You for one constantly seems captivated by my scent. I used to be self reliant, now I have to depend on others. As we speak, I'm sure the police have kept a tail on me and Stan. I've become so self conscious thinking someone is always watching me."

"Sounds like you're unhappy with your life..."

"Yes! I am! I had a plan for my life, to live alone, love no one but me! Myself! I was happy minding my own business...but now, I have to be dependent on another's scent! How can I be sure it's not the imprint talking telling me he likes me?"

"If Stan likes you, that's on him, not the imprint. It was too weak to..."

"...but you said he reacts to my scent...he feels obligated to protect me..."

"Stan has always been like that with everyone...before that incident you barely knew him so I can't blame you. I would never speak on his behalf especially on this matter, remember I did liked you first..."

"Elric...this is not the right time to flirt..."

"I'm not flirting with you. I'm choosing to respect what you two have now Yeon. How can I compete when you two are already fated?"

When Yeon didn't say a word, Elric continued, "I get that whatever happened to you was hell...I wouldn't be as strong as you if I were in your shoes but Yeon, stop blaming yourself over what happened. The bright side of things is you met your fated mate."

"Why is it such a big deal to you especially after seeing what your mom had to go though for years? I used to yearn to be fated and mark someone...but right now, it feels like a curse.

Stan should have just let me die that day. He risked his life for nothing because right now, it feels like I'm in constant hell. Dead and still breathing"