"You seem lost in thought Yeon. Is everything alright?" Stan couldn't help but wonder over the sudden sombre mood change from his fated. Normally he'd be quite feisty with his guard up before bed. However today, he seemed rather calm.
Seeing that he was still deep in thought, Stan tapped his shoulder to get his attention and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Did you say something?" Yeon asked confused.
"Usually you act so coldly often giving me attitude and despite me being exceptionally nice to you, you are constantly resolute and shut me out again and again without offering me a single chance...unless I coax you into it."
"What the hell..." Yeon frowned.
"See that..." Stan said excitedly then ruffled Yeon's hair playfully. "That is the face I'm used to."
"What are you up to this time?" Yeon asked suspiciously.
"I've become good at waiting on you so whenever you're ready to tell me what is bothering you, I'll listen."
Yeon's face relaxed as he began pondering over why Stan was always affectionate towards him. He smiled at the thought of when he'd become so comfortable around him. Since the imprint, Stan was much more touchy and he dared not stop him otherwise he'd constantly whine. No one else had been this free with him except Niel and Mijin.
Why do I feel so at ease when I'm with you? Yeon thought to himself and watched Stan ruffle though his things in deep concentration then slumped on the bed. He'd lay here with him the last two days, chatting about nothing special and with their scents mixed together, he'd often feel the tension leaving his body. The comfort of being around Stan was one he'd never thought to enjoy.
"I'm not used to feeling like this."
"What?" Stan turned around to look at Yeon who quickly waved his hand away while shaking his head to ward him off. Stan smiled at his gesture then proceeded with whatever he was doing.
I'm afraid Elric may have been right at warning me...or rather asking me that question for I feel like I'm falling. When did I begin to feel this way? How deep have I fallen already? What if I actually end up needing you forever and whind up being hurt again and again? I'm I too afraid? Is it worth it to risk it? Are you worth it? I'm I even right for you to begin with? What if I'm the one who ends up leaving you broken? What if you never recover?
"Yeon...I've been calling you a number of times but you've just been staring at me." Seeing his startled face, Stan added. "You know I can sense you yearning for me..."
"Ack!" Yeon jumped, suprised at how close Stan was to him. Scooting away, he said defensively. "It's not what you're thinking...I'm just sad this trip will be over and we have to leave tomorrow, that's all..."
"Then why are you so flustered?"
Sitting up abruptly, Yeon decided to change the subject. "You seem to be distracted too. Why were you rufling though your things for so long? Did you loose something?"
"No...actually I found what I'd been looking for. I almost thought I left it behind or something." Stan seemed hesitant before he extended his hand towards Yeon and handed him an EyePod to which Yeon asked suspiciously what this was all about.
"It's my EyePod. I made a playlist for us...the sound quality with this device is dynamic in comparison to listening to music using your phone." Stan said excitedly, though after sometime, he appeared to have grown shy as he rubbed behind his ears anxiously.
"My birthday is coming up soon...so I wanted us to have something we can share together as a couple and made you the playlist... When you listen to it here, it's quite lively and clearer. It won't sound too flat as over the phone since it's more focused on the base rather than just vocals..."
"Birthday?" Yeon interrupted.
"Uh...yea." Stan felt disappointed his fated was unaware of his big day but didn't want to make a big deal about it. He only hoped Yeon didn't know at what lengths he went to find out everything about him, including the things he disliked.
"Shouldn't I be the one gifting you something? And how is this your gift if you're the one gifting it to me?"
"I'd love it if you found time to listen to the playlist...and if you like it, I'll be the happiest..."
"Are there love songs?" Yeon asked with a straight face, unimpressed by how predictable Stan was.
"Of course there are...I wanted you to listen to something and think of me especialy when we are apart. Besides, I made the playlist thinking of you through and through. I was hoping we'd listen to it together but I know you'll be against it hence this way is better."
"So you thought it best to give me a gift as something you'd like...a responsibility." Yeon's face further dropped.
"Don't think of it like that...if it was something I'd want it would be for us to listen to it together..."
"Do I have to listen to it now?"
Seeing that Yeon was disinterested, Stan took his time to answer. "You can listen to it on my birthday. It will be the day after tomorrow."
"Day after tomorrow! I don't even know the things you like, not to mention we are on an island! How can I get you any gift? Your dads haven't mentioned anything to me...?"
Grabbing Yeon's shoulder gently, Stan assured him he didn't think much of birthdays. "Besides, I've gotten more than I deserved this year. I have you..."
Yeon frowned and said. "I warned you, no cheesy lines..."
Seeing him get flustered, Stan smiled and kissed him briefly then apologized.
Afterwards, he watched Yeon throw his EyePod unattentively in his bag and flinched at the thought of getting scratches on it. Not wanting to ruin the mood, he didn't say a word until Yeon spoke once they were both in bed together.
"You'd asked me why I was lost in thought. I was wondering how it must have felt me imprinting on you...or when you bit me and marked me. I hardly remember a thing."
"Why would you ask me that now?" Stan asked as he snuggled closer to lay his head on Yeon's chest.
"Your head is heavy and my body hurts from your constant biting..."
"Just for a minute...or even ten seconds. I want to listen to your heartbeat."
"If you answer my question I'll give you two minutes..."
"I felt like I knew you a new." Stan replied instantly. "I was submerged into your innermost thoughts and felt each and every emotion you felt. It's like I could read your mind within that brief moment and I admit I was scared since I felt completely overpowered by you. For sometime, I couldn't breathe...you were pulling me in, tormenting me...I honestly do not know if what I'm saying makes sense but somehow, I knew you trusted me. It was as if I heard you say it yet unsure at the same time. That much I remember."
"I wish I never asked. Now I'm more confused than before."
Stan giggled then switched positions to rest his head on his palm so he could look down at his fated. "When I bit you...well this one is harder to explain. It just felt right to do it then. My plan was to do it naturally and I'm glad I did it when we were both in heat. I remember my teeth hurting, itching painfully...the need to eat you up, consume you, posses you...My memory is a bit vague what happened afterwards..."
"You could have bit me sooner so why didn't you? Why did you delay all this time?"
"That's why I'm saying it's hard to explain. When I scent manifested, I admit that feeling came over me, the need to protect you or more like claim what's mine however, you had a lot of scents on you from others that it brought me back to my senses and with how complicated your situation was...well, I honestly do not know what to say. I think we will have to ask uncle that. All I know was that two days ago, it just felt like the right time. "
"There is no need to ask Dr. Jiwon. I believe I got my answer already."
"Why are you asking me all these questions all of a sudden? Do you perhaps feel bad that I'm the one who marked you instead of the other way round?"
"That too..."
"That too? What could be the other reason then?"
"Where did you go with my parents?"
Stan sighed when Yeon changed the subject. "They took me out for a vigorous fitness test and of course, to prove I was worthy of you, I failed miserably so we agreed I'd pop in their gym at least twice a week."
"That explains why I didn't see you for sometime."
"Why, did you miss me?"
"Maybe...but also you missed quite a spectacle here."
Sitting up right, Stan exclaimed happily. "You missed me?"
"That's not important. What you missed is more urgent."
"I missed you that's for sure and you are urgent to..."
"There you go again interpreting things as you please." Yeon sighed then added. "Elric and Niel."
"What about those two clowns?" Stan frowned at the mention oft them. He did not like the idea of Yeon thinking they were more important than him.
"They scent manifested."
"What?" Stan's face showed no excitement nor shock when he spoke.
"Niel marked Elric, and I'm pretty sure he is sealing the mark as we speak."
Stan's eyebrows rose in confusion before he asked again. "What?"
"Yes. It appears they are fated mates..."
"What!"