Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 192

Chapter 192 Side Story 14

“That movie theater you said you used to visit in the mornings, right? You told me about it back in Kish.”

Before they knew it, the car had left the outlet mall and was running smoothly along the road.

“Wow. You have an amazing memory. You still remember that?”

“I remember everything you like.”

Medeus answered with a proud expression, the gloom that had lingered in his voice now completely vanished. A quiet laugh slipped from Nataek’s lips as he drove.

Nataek drove more carefully than usual. By the time they arrived at the movie theater, the sun had already set. It was an impromptu plan, but the timing worked out perfectly. He managed to easily get two tickets for a showing that was about to start.

Medeus tried to act nonchalant, but his eyes flicked around, uneasy in the dim unfamiliar setting. Every time Medeus revealed those sides to him in unfamiliar places, Nataek struggled to suppress the urge to bite him affectionately. He had to hold back the laughter that kept bubbling up as well.

They bought two large sets of cola and popcorn, one for each of them. But with their hands full, they fumbled to check their seat numbers and nearly spilled a drink. Fortunately, Medeus shifted quickly and prevented it from falling, though that meant they had to press close against each other as if embracing around a single cup. At that, Nataek couldn’t help himself and let out a laugh.

They barely managed to rush inside on time. When he saw the rows of tiered seats, Medeus’s reaction was, “It looks like an arena.” That comment instantly brought to Nataek’s mind the image of the iron bars where they had shared their first kiss, making his chest stir. He had to silently hum the national anthem again to push back those urges—after all, one couldn’t very well go into heat inside a movie theater. With such twists and turns, they finally sat down.

“You can slot the cola into this holder here.”

Medeus examined even the cupholder carefully as though it were a matter of great importance.

The film itself was a typical thriller. It began in a shabby alleyway of ordinary life; the protagonist was dragged into an incident, then fists flew, knives slashed, and he frantically escaped from a murderer. It was classic, predictable thriller territory.

But for Medeus, it was anything but predictable. As the movie grew more intense, Nataek noticed his seat vibrating. Beside him, Medeus was bouncing in his seat. The popcorn clutched tightly in both his hands rustled and shook with every move. It was as if he had entered the screen himself, immersed completely. He would lean forward as if to dash onto the screen, then force himself back into his seat, his shoulders twitching with every burst of tension.

When the villain suddenly pulled out a knife, Medeus unconsciously reached toward his waist. Nataek knew immediately why. The popcorn bucket tilted in the very direction Medeus would usually keep his weapon. Immersed too much, Medeus seemed ready to draw a blade along with the film. Popcorn spilled out with a rustle. Startled, Medeus hurriedly set the bucket upright again. Without a word, Nataek took the popcorn from him and bit his lip.

Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh.

He pressed down the corners of his lips that wanted so badly to rise. At this point, Medeus’s reactions were far more entertaining than the film itself.

The theater suddenly grew quiet. On screen, the protagonists hid behind a wall, peeking to see if the killer was near. Medeus’s expression turned grave, as if he too were hiding back there with them. Then he even mimicked their movements, glancing behind with them. That was what finally made Nataek burst out again.

“Pffft.”

At that sound, Medeus was jolted back to reality. He turned toward Nataek just as the screen flared bright with the sudden appearance of the killer. While violence and screams filled the theater, their eyes met in a soft, still moment.

“Why are you laughing?”

He hadn’t meant to mock him. Nataek had only smiled because Medeus was so adorable, but misunderstandings could easily arise.

“Ah. Sorry. It’s just… it makes me happy to see you enjoying it.”

Nataek whispered an apology. To his relief, Medeus returned a gentle smile with his eyes.

Unlike Medeus, who quickly sank back into the film, Nataek found he could no longer pay any attention. Something cuter, more endearing, and infinitely more interesting sat right beside him.

I’m glad I brought him here.

The movie reached its climax. Medeus gripped the end of the armrest so tightly his knuckles bulged under the play of the flickering light.

He’s going to break a joint like that.

Concerned, Nataek set the popcorn down and laid his hand across Medeus’s, patting softly as though to tell him to relax. Medeus looked down at that hand, then raised his gaze. Nataek met it with a warm smile.

Relax a little. Your fingers will hurt.

Though he only smiled without speaking, Medeus suddenly turned his body toward him and leaned closer, closer still. Bewildered, Nataek raised his brows, but Medeus kept coming, until their noses could nearly touch. Then he tilted his head. There was no mistaking what he meant to do. Nataek hurriedly brought up a hand to block his mouth. Medeus frowned, dissatisfied, but Nataek explained in a low voice,

“We’re in a theater.”

Drawing his hand down slowly, Medeus asked,

“So we shouldn’t kiss here?”

“That, and…”

More than the fact that it was a public space with people watching, it simply felt like the wrong time and place. Yet Medeus’s eyes glowed faintly with heated intent—as if he had read far more into a simple touch of hands. Instinct warned Nataek that letting things continue down this current would be disastrous.

“Anyway, not here.”

“Then… at home is fine?”

“Well…”

By then, the movie was ending, the screen filled with an emotional reunion of family. But Medeus was no longer focused there.

“As long as it’s just the two of us, then it’s fine, right?”

He took Nataek’s hand and pressed a firm kiss to the back of it. In Medeus’s burning gaze a fire flared vividly. Surrounded by the rising crowd, all Nataek could do was give a faint nod.

Modern rules Nataek had taught him: driving required full attention, so never disturb a driver. For that reason, Medeus stayed quiet on the ride back. Yet the tension rising at his core betrayed him without words.

How did it come to this? Nataek’s mind churned as he drove. Just like in the ancient times, Medeus’s desire erupted suddenly and without warning, like a switch flipped.

By the time they reached home, the sky was dark. No sooner had Nataek parked in the yard and stepped out than Medeus strode quickly up to him.

“Medeus—!”

Without hesitation, Medeus seized his cheek and crushed their lips together. Stunned, Nataek pushed at his shoulders.

“Wait, wait. Let’s at least go inside first.”

How had he managed to restrain himself in the car? Medeus’s eyes were ablaze.

Is this just because he’s young? But I wasn’t this bad at twenty… or was I? Similar, maybe? Was it because I held his hand? But we hold hands every day…

Medeus gripped him firmly and all but dragged him to the front door. The moment the door slammed shut, he bent down and devoured Nataek’s lips. One of Nataek’s shoes half-fell off, dangling awkwardly. He tapped lightly at Medeus’s chest with his fingers, and only then did their mouths part. His upper lip and philtrum were red from the feverish suck of Medeus’s kiss.

“At least let me take off my shoes.”

Medeus stepped back a pace. Maybe he had calmed. But as Nataek bent his foot to slip off the heel, Medeus suddenly knelt, wrapped both arms around his thighs, and hoisted him straight into the air. Startled, Nataek clutched at his neck.

“Wait—I still have—mph!”

His protest was cut off as Medeus claimed his lips again. One shoe dangled precariously from his foot as Medeus strode inside, carrying him straight toward the bedroom.

As they crossed the threshold, Medeus ducked his head, one arm supporting Nataek’s waist and the other his back, shielding him from the doorframe. He lowered him onto the bed with a soft thump against the mattress and climbed up over him, caging him in. His eyes blazed, fixated, heat rolling off them.

“I want to hold you.”

It wasn’t a simple hug he meant. Nataek understood perfectly what Medeus wanted.

“R-right now?”