Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 191

Chapter 191 Side Story 13

Nataek swallowed down the emotions that welled up on their own and looked forward again. Today, he had a clear objective. He had to find clothes among the countless shops that would fit Medeus’s body.

How long had they wandered around like that?

“We do carry a pretty wide range of sizes, but… nothing fits exactly.”

They had gone through every sportswear store here, but could not find anything that fit. If the waist size was right, the pant legs would ride up; if he tried adjusting to the length, then the waistband would squeeze in tight, like binding him with a sack rope. Even then, the trousers barely managed to cover the ankles, if at all. At this rate, it felt less like fitting the clothes onto the body and more like forcing the body to conform to the clothes.

“Medeus. What about this one? I think this is the best among what you’ve tried on so far.”

Medeus, who had obediently been trying on everything Nataek handed him, finally voiced an opinion.

“Yeah. This one is way more comfortable than the others.”

“That’s a relief.”

No matter how he looked at it, this particular piece from that brand seemed to be the best option they had here. Nataek went ahead and bought pants, T-shirts, and hooded jumpers in every color of the styles that were at least somewhat close in length. If they found something that fit, it was best to stock up as much as possible.

By the time the sun went down, Nataek’s hands were full of the day’s harvest. A smile lingered at his lips. Throughout the shopping, Medeus kept trying to take the bags for himself, but since Nataek kept hiding his arms behind his back, Medeus couldn’t help as much as he wanted.

“Let me carry it.”

“It’s fine. They’re light.”

This short tug-of-war over the bags kept repeating. Yet, until they finished at the outlet mall, Medeus never managed to win against Nataek. Maybe that’s why his expression didn’t look particularly good. Noticing the shift, Nataek leaned in close to his face.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like the clothes?”

“No.”

“Then what is it, hm?”

Medeus shook his head with an awkward smile. Nataek pressed his arm against Medeus’s.

“That’s strange. Why does it look like you’re upset? Are your legs tired? Or is it because you’re hungry? Should we go eat something?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Medeus gave a bitter smile as he answered. Nataek halted his steps abruptly.

Was there really something bothering him?

Because he stopped so suddenly, his shoulder nearly bumped into passersby, but Medeus quickly pulled him aside, avoiding the collision. Nataek seized this chance and caught hold of Medeus’s wrist, leading him toward a more secluded area.

“Medeus. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“No…”

A puppy, no matter how much it pretends to sulk, gives away its heart with its wagging tail. Medeus was the same. His face appeared calm, but there was a lowered heaviness about him that Nataek could sense without a doubt. Nataek set down the shopping bags.

“Tell me. Why are you feeling upset?”

His hands gently slipped over the large hands of Medeus. A passerby walking by glanced at them in surprise. But for Nataek, other people’s gazes meant nothing. The only thing that mattered to him was Medeus’s gloomy expression.

“…”

By now, Nataek had somewhat learned how to handle Medeus. With a slight sway, he rocked Medeus’s hand as he said playfully,

“When you don’t tell me, I start getting upset too. What could it be? Why? Who went and made my puppy so upset? I’m getting upset too, you know. Was it me? Did I do it?”

At that, Medeus bit down on his lower lip. Nataek leaned in closer.

“If you don’t tell me, I won’t know the reason and just keep feeling sadder. Is that really fine with you?”

Only then did Medeus raise his gaze, quietly holding Nataek’s eyes. But soon, his head drooped down again.

“Ever since I came here… I haven’t been able to do anything for you.”

Nataek blinked.

“What do you mean, do something for me?”

Medeus’s eyes drifted silently down to the shopping bags on the ground.

“Here, it feels like I’ve only been receiving from you. I want to do something for you as well.”

Following his eyes, Nataek looked at the bags, then chuckled softly after a moment of silence.

“How much have you already done for me? Why would you think that way?”

Medeus looked at him with a puzzled expression. His eyes—drooping lower than usual—stabbed painfully into Nataek’s chest.

Medeus had no clue about the weight of what he had given Nataek. He had taken care of Nataek during his illness, something no family was there to do. Beyond that, he gifted Nataek a bond that kept him from loneliness. That was something incomparable to a few clothes or a bit of money. Above all, Medeus was the very one who had granted the most desperate dream Nataek had longed for all his life. Truthfully, it was Nataek who should’ve been brimming with gratitude toward him. And yet, Medeus didn’t seem to understand Nataek’s heart in the slightest.

Nataek moved closer.

“You granted my one and only lifelong wish. To live quiet and happy in a countryside village, with my person by my side.”

“…”

But Medeus didn’t seem comforted by those words. Seeing him still unsettled, Nataek tried a more practical, tangible explanation.

“That’s not even all. Do you know how expensive it is here to hire someone to look after the sick? That’s what you did for me—all of it. Same thing with tidying up the place. If you calculated that into costs, it would be so much, but you never once asked for a cent. I’ve been on the receiving end ever since you came. If you put it that way, I should be the one who feels guilty.”

“Why would you feel guilty toward me?”

“Because it makes me seem like some greedy boss exploiting free labor without pay.”

“Those are things I should of course be doing for you.”

Nataek beamed up at Medeus.

“Same goes for me.”

He picked the shopping bags up again, but this time slipped them into Medeus’s hands. As his lover held the bag straps, Nataek gently rubbed his thumb against the back of his hand. He spoke softly,

“I’m doing it because it makes me happy. Sure, it makes me a little sad I can’t put you in finer clothes, but I still want you to eat well and be comfortable. Didn’t you always want that for me too? So don’t ever think like that again.”

Medeus forced the corners of his lips upward.

Two tall men holding hands and walking together—such a sight wasn’t exactly common in a shopping mall, especially in Korea. Passersby glanced quickly at their faces, then glanced once more at their intertwined hands. But all Nataek could see and think about was Medeus. He kept pondering his partner’s feelings over and over.

Maybe I should find him a hobby…

The idea piled up in Nataek’s mind—ways Medeus could blend into modern life more smoothly, without feeling burdened, and more at ease.

By the time they finished shopping, the clock showed an awkward hour. It was 4:30 in the afternoon. They had eaten a late lunch, so it was too early for dinner, and still quite a stretch before bedtime. There wasn’t enough time to do anything grand either.

“Fasten your seatbelt properly.”

Nataek reached over and tugged on Medeus’s seatbelt. Medeus remained still, letting Nataek do it for him. Then, imitating him, he leaned over to fasten the driver’s belt as well, securing Nataek’s side. Nataek let him, remembering what just happened and wondering again whether he should let Medeus do more things for him. But when Medeus checked his belt, he frowned.

“You said it has to be tight for safety. But yours is so loose.”

At that, Nataek glanced down at his own seatbelt.

“Oh, this…”

He stopped himself. It had been clipped loose with a holder by Jungyeom, who hadn’t liked it being tight. Instead of explaining, Nataek just quietly pulled the strap back into its proper position and tightened it securely.

“Yeah, I wonder why it’s like that.”

To Medeus, every little action of Nataek became a standard to follow. For a while, it seemed Nataek had to make sure to show only the right example of modern life. When his belt was finally snug, Medeus gave a proud smile. It was a smile Nataek saw every day, yet it filled his heart to the brim each time.

As he started the car and turned the steering wheel, Nataek noticed Medeus staring fixedly out the window.

What’s he looking at so intently?

Turning in that direction, Nataek spotted an outdoor electronic billboard. A giant screen was playing a movie trailer. Medeus’s gaze was glued onto it. The film was an action-thriller that had recently been released—the same genre Nataek enjoyed, and one that had been buzzing with anticipation even before its premiere. As they drove out of the parking lot, Nataek asked,

“Does it look interesting?”

Medeus twisted around, continuing to follow the giant screen as it faded into the distance.

“Even from so far away, it looks enormous.”

Smiling softly as he flicked on the turn signal, Nataek replied,

“Wanna go watch it?”

“Is it different from the TV we watched back in the hospital room?”

“It’s much bigger than a TV. It feels alive, the sound is incredible, and the popcorn’s delicious… Let’s see if we can catch a showtime. Let’s try going.”

If they drove about thirty more minutes, they would reach a theater. Naturally, Nataek changed the destination.

“There’s… such a thing as a movie theater. You sit there, enjoy the cool air, eat popcorn, and watch something fun. I usually go at the crack of dawn or late at night, because I don’t like crowds. It’s hard to catch the right time, though.”

Medeus turned his body, recalling once again the words Nataek had said before.

Footnotes

1. Outlet mall (아울렛): In Korea, 아울렛 (aullet, from “outlet”) refers to a shopping mall that primarily sells discounted brand-name goods.