71. Welcome Back

Yeon felt a familiar discomfort around him and tried to hange his sleeping position with no success. Something was holding him back, a tight grip around his waist.

Half asleep with his eyes still closed, he reached to remove the obstruction and froze once he held onto it. The warm, taut grip from Stan...he'd recognize that grip anywhere. Stan had been like an octopus, trapping him from running away with his hands and legs. Well, Yeon couldn't blame him. Every time he often thought of running away the moment he'd woken up and became aware of Stan sleeping next to him. He'd only been successful once at running away and failed afterwards. Besides, Stan was a light sleeper, but not today.

Yeon could feel him breathing heavily behind him. It was a relief he hadn't yet woken up from his fidgeting.

Smiling to himself, he felt like he was about to burst with joy at the realization of Stan finally waking up. The past six weeks had been stressful thst he hardly slept a wink. He tried to reach his phone to check the time but wouldn't budge than a few centimeters Stan's grip on him had been firm.

He must have woken up in the middle of the night for us to be in this cupping position, Yeon thought to himself.

Just then, he felt his heart picking up its beat. He was becoming more and more anxious. The realization of having to confess his feelings to a conscious Stan dawned on him... but hadn't his uncle said Stan already knew?

There was no need after all was there? If he knew then that's that....

His thoughts were interrupted by the rumbling of his stomach. Just then, he remembered he hadn't eaten the previous night despite him salivating at dad Robin's cooking. He'd become immediately distracted the moment he'd heard of Stan's status that nothing else mattered.

"Now that you're awake, I'm sure dad Robin will arrange a celebration, if not your belated birthday celebration..."

Yeon flinched when he felt Stan pull him closer. His body stiffened as he pates attention to Stan's breathing which was still just as heavy as before. The only thing louder than his breathing was Yeon's thudding heart.

"How are you still asleep? You were always the first to wake up..."Just then, he heard a knock at the door and dad Robin, asking if he could come in.

"Yes..." Yeon replied in a low tone, hoping not to have woken Stan up. Apart from listening to his breathing he had no way of knowing if he was still asleep or not.

"Still the same way we left him in the night..." Dad Robin smiled the moment he spotted them.

He walked cautiously towards Yeon's side and tried lifting Stan's hand up from around Yeon's waist but he wouldn't budge.

"Try using one of your scents on him. He seems tense." Dad Robin whispered."Ofcourse, why didn't I think of that before? Yeon thought to himself as he slowly began to feel Stan's hand slowly loosening up around him to which his father was quick to lift up and free Yeon.

"He is going to be frantic when he wakes up." Dad Tobin spoke as he slowly closed the door behind them. "You can use the shower in Stan's unoccupied room, or better yet, eat up first. You never came down for dinner yesterday. Jiwon packed the remaining leftovers for his wife haha!"

Yeon laughed at the sight of Stan's uncle stealing food away. It was hilarious and Yeon promised himself to tease his mentor about it later.

"I'm starving. It's a lazy day today and Dr. Jiwon told me to stay in with Stan for a while. Besides, my parents are visiting here today. It's such a relief Stan is awake to meet them too. What a rare coincidence."

"I'll be home today too just in case you need my help with Stan. His muscle recovery after not using them for awhile is outstanding. Glad I was resilient in giving him massages without missing a day otherwise, I doubt he would be able to move the way he was as soon as he woke up."

Yeon nodded and smiled as he listened to dad Robin yap on. He was a contributor to Stan's recovery however, he couldn't confess the secret behind his fated being swift in his movements, a secret he planned on taking to the grave with him.

"I can't wait to see him awake." Yeon spoke as he served himself the remainder of yesternight's dinner.

"He woke up again in the night. However, Jiwon had prescribed a second dose for him that we had to administer. Despite his amazing recovery, we still need to pay attention to muscle recovery. Stan doesn't listen to anyone therefore forcing medication into him is the only way.

Dad Robin served himself too and together they munched away, each of them in their thoughts. Yeon repeatedly glanced at Stan's dad who seemed engrossed in whatever he was doing on his phone and after a while, he was caught.

'Sorry Yeon. Since I won't b going to work, there are a number of pending issues I have to address while here but do not fret. Today we shall be having a feast to officially welcome my some back and the fact that your family is visiting too makes today more exciting. I have a tone of things I'd love Stan to help me kook."

"Cook?" Yeon raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself how quickly his dad assumed Stan to be up and ready.

"Don't worry Yeon, I won't be pushing your beloved further than he can't handle."

"I'm not really worried about him like that...as per Dr. Jiwon, Stan seems to be recovering very quickly and that's better than I'd imagined."

"We are as surprised as you are...which brings me to something we have been thinking over with Joss. What happens to you after you graduate? Will you be joining us or you will continue to work with Jiwon?"

Seeing the sudden pause in Yeon, dad Robin felt a tinge if guilt for throwing that question in the middle of breakfast. "Haven't you thought of that before?"

"I have, but Dr. Jiwon advised me on having this discussion with Stan..."

"Ridiculous! I knew he'd say something as immature as such. Yeon, you are free to choose and live as you please. Jos and I are willing to support you in every way if you choose to come work with us. There is a department that caters to your field and..."

"Dad Robin..."Yeon interrupted. "I'm sorry that I feel inclined to follow the path of fated mates. Dr. Jiwon has inspired that in me however, I want to follow that field of medicine since now I understand extensively nitigrities involving those that are fated. Who else could be more commendable except myself after the misfortune Stan and I each faced? This does not mean I'm looking down upon normal medical practice. The piece behind pairs is less complex as those fated and my major doesn't limit me when it comes to prating each of them. I just feel that of fated mates is more challenging, a challenge I'm willing to take."

"Wow. Jiwon did say you are easy to work with, and a prodigy at that. i cant say I'm not disappointed. I was looking forward to see you in action however, no biggie. You are free to pop into Joss's lab once in a while. My request was actually on his behalf. If what you are saying is true, then pairs too like us will need your skills. We may not be fateds but we too experience the need to bond and companionship. Besides, love is just love. Whether fated or undated correct?"

"What nonsense are you telling Yeon this time?"

"Good to see you finally awake son."

Yeon's eyes grew wide, unable to comprehend what he was feeling as he watched Stan slowly take the stairs down towards them, his hand holding the wall for support. His eyes were fixated on Yeon, and Yeon was unable to read his expression, which was the opposite of him.

"Stan..."

"Yeon, I finally get to see you again, safe and surprised to see me..."

Before Stan could complete his sentence, Yeon had already rushed towards his side and embraced him so fiercely that Stan had to lean on the wall for support."

Dad Robin giggled as he cautioned. "Watch it Yeon. He is still as weak as a newborn. His limbs and muscles flaccid from sleeping for too long."

Both Yeon and Stan remained quiet in each other's arms and Dad Robin enjoyed the sight of them two. He fell for the temptation of recording them on phone, repeatedly teasing Stan to look up at the camera while his joyous laughter filled the room.

"I've waited to see you two like this for the longest time. I'm glad I was here to witness it first hand."

"Dad, give us a moment will you?" Stan complained.

"Once I finish my breakfast, I'll consider it." Dad Robin replied. "Too bad your father has missed this reunion. He was looking forward to it for a while."

He watched the two for a while and concluded indeed, he needed to give them some alone time. After all, it had been practically six weeks since either of them saw the other.

"Dont overexert yourself Stan. You have no idea how much Yeon had to suffer watching you lying like a log for weeks on end."

"Dad...!"

"Fine! I'm leaving." Dad Robin waved as he opened the front door then stopped to look back. He remembered the the conversation he'd had with Yeon when he'd advised him to not hold any grudges and give Stan a chance.

Nodding while smiling, he said to himself. "I'm glad he listened. After all, life becomes easier and lighter when we let go of our grudges."