Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 180

Chapter 180 Side Story 2

 

 

Nataek’s food in the ancient civilization was noticeably different.

Hmm…

Nataek muttered quietly. Even if he dragged his uncomfortable body to a convenience store, it seemed difficult to find food that suited Medeus’s taste. And Medeus wasn’t the type to quietly watch it happen. After long hesitation, Nataek took Medeus’s spoon and scooped up a spoonful of seaweed soup broth, offering it to Medeus.

“This should be edible. Try it.”

Medeus quietly looked at the spoon and took the broth into his mouth. Their eyes met afterwards. Nataek raised his eyebrow and asked his intention with his gaze. Medeus tasted a few times and smiled softly.

“It’s delicious.”

Nataek wasn’t picky and would eat unfamiliar food without hesitation. But Medeus seemed cautious and very particular. Seeing Medeus sip the broth, Nataek took his chopsticks. He stirred his own seaweed soup and picked up a piece of meat.

“Ah.”

Nataek brought the meat to Medeus’s red lips.

“It’s not strange, it’s meat. Boiled meat. This should be okay.”

Medeus shook his head, recognizing what was on the chopsticks.

“You should eat this.”

“Oh. My arm’s gonna fall off. It was my wish to feed meat to my lover with chopsticks. Oh, my lover won’t eat it. Ouch, my arm hurts.”

Nataek’s voice wasn’t serious. Half-joking with a playful tone, he made Medeus smile. Reluctantly, Medeus opened his mouth to receive the meat.

“You eat well.”

Nataek smiled brightly and took up his spoon again. Finally, Medeus stirred his soup with his spoon. It was obvious he was searching for meat. Feeding each other, Nataek pondered,

What should I order to make Medeus eat well…

The frustration that his lover couldn’t eat fully and the desire to feed him plenty delicious food grew, alongside a strangely blooming small joy. Medeus had this side. Discovering a new side made Nataek feel richer.

They brushed their teeth and, with Medeus’s help, reluctantly washed their hair. Then there was nothing else to do. There wasn’t much two people could do in a single hospital room. They could take walks, but Medeus might find the crowded hospital stressful. Even for modern people, a hospital full of patients isn’t comfortable.

In the end, Nataek chose to talk with Medeus.

“There’s something called a game CD.”

“A game CD?”

“Yes. That’s why I went there.”

Before coming to the hospital, Nataek had briefly explained his travel to the ancient civilization, and now he explained it in detail.

“As I said, this is probably several thousand years after the time Medeus lived, I guess.”

He couldn’t say the game world was real, but since it was the real world he visited, Nataek explained it by estimated time.

Medeus looked around the room again and nodded.

“I have a lot to learn about this place.”

Nataek shrugged and quietly watched Medeus. Did Medeus regret coming to a place with different environment, people, culture, and era? After a long pause, Nataek extended his hand to Medeus.

I said I wouldn’t let you regret it. I’ll do anything for Medeus.

Without knowing the meaning, Medeus took Nataek’s hand. Nataek gently swung the hand like a swing.

“You can take your time getting to know this place. I’ll help you.”

Medeus’s eyes softened hearing the words.

“Okay.”

I’ll never let you regret it. Nataek squeezed Medeus’s hand firmly, and Medeus softly stroked Nataek’s hand with his thumb.

“But, Teresi.”

“Yes?”

“That friend of yours.”

“Jungyeom?”

“Are you close to him?”

“I guess so.”

“How close?”

“How close…?”

Having never thought about measuring the level of intimacy, Nataek couldn’t answer immediately. He slowly explained his history with Jungyeom.

“We lived in the same village since we were about ten. It was a rural place, so he was the only same-age friend nearby. Middle school, high school… meaning school. We went to school together all along. I grew up at my grandparents’ place, and the grandmother who raised me and Jungyeom’s grandmother have been old friends. Somehow, he became my closest friend.”

“…I see.”

Medeus dropped his eyes, displeased. Nataek wriggled his hips and stepped toward Medeus.

“You don’t like him that much? He’s not a bad guy.”

“…No.”

This was neither fully true nor false.

“Why? What don’t you like about him?”

“…”

Medeus frowned with one eye. Seeing this, Nataek gently shook Medeus’s hand again.

“Tell me, will you?”

Biting his lips, Medeus cautiously spoke.

“You…”

“You?”

Nataek prompted him by repeating. Medeus, frowning, continued obediently.

“You… … he seems like the first person you don’t use honorifics with.”

This made Nataek pause in thought. Starting as a slave in ancient civilization, he had no one to speak to informally. Even with closest Medeus, he had always used honorifics.

The situation was similar in modern times. Nataek used polite speech with strangers regardless of age, barring juniors and friends in school.

He raised an eyebrow.

“So you don’t like that I use informal speech with Jungyeom? Is it because it looks more intimate? Are you jealous? There’s no other reason to be displeased.”

Medeus’s furrowed brow twitched repeatedly in dissatisfaction. Seeing this, Nataek’s lips curled into a smile. He stuck out his tongue, licked his upper lip, then grinned.

Then, delivering a triumphant line to confirm his suspicion, he said,

“Medeus, did that bother you so much?”

At Nataek’s words, Medeus glanced up sharply, his gray eyes quickly dropping back. But the hand linked with Nataek’s tightened more than before. Judging from his reaction, Nataek’s guess was right.

Sigh… this cute guy, really.

Nataek gripped Medeus’s hand tightly.

“In modern times, it’s normal to talk informally to the same-age friend you’ve known a long time. Jungyeom is my longtime friend and same age, so that’s why.”

“…”

“Should I talk informally to you too?”

Nataek threw another bait. Medeus’s gaze returned to Nataek. His lips remained tightly closed, but his expression had visibly softened. Unable to speak, Nataek said with resignation,

“Oh, if you don’t like it, then no need to.”

“I don’t dislike it.”

Medeus stopped Nataek’s attempted retraction.

“You don’t dislike it?”

Medeus nodded. His large frame struggling with him, groaning, was so cute it almost drove Nataek mad. Feeling playful, Nataek drew close to Medeus.

“You don’t dislike it? That’s good. You have to say it clearly for me to know.”

“…I like it.”

Ah, this is crazy.

Unable to contain himself, Nataek’s lips stretched wide. Did this big guy really act this cute? Finally, his feelings moved to actions. He pulled Medeus into his arms, but the large movement sent pain through his casted arm.

“Ouch.”

A groan escaped from Nataek’s lips.

“Teresi! Are you okay?”

Medeus hurriedly checked Nataek’s arm. Nataek sighed.

“This damned arm better heal soon. Can’t even grip properly.”

Medeus gently held Nataek’s uninjured hand and kissed his fingers.

“Yeah. I’ll heal quickly and hug you.”

Nataek winked with one eye and sat up again. Medeus supported his back. Sitting face-to-face, Nataek leaned toward Medeus.

“I’m fine.”

Recognizing Nataek’s intention, Medeus smiled brightly, stepped closer, their lips softly touching. Medeus tilted his head slightly and swallowed Nataek.