Beautiful, Familiar Stranger 🎋
A -sort of- Qiuyuan x Wandering Reader I made around last year November 💚✨ (wc. 1,519)
Important Notes: Content remains 90% unchanged from how it was first written | Vague Setting | May be OOC | 2nd POV
A/N: Originally 2 separate parts that I combined, hence the 90%. Would also like to give a big shout out to this gacha man last year for bringing me out of writers block after years of not writing for myself (besides oc stuff) lol. I did this not too long after his banner first dropped, hence the lack of established setting. Sorry if it's not that much. I’ve done more writing since then but Ill be commemorating him today due to the wuwa update once more ✨ Enjoy~
…Here you thought you wouldn't see him again.
Figure built and sculpted, hiding behind those messy layers of fabric, yet crafted and fitted finely to hoist that blade and alcohol container of his. Here we was amidst the bamboo almost seemingly nowhere in this part of the forest.
How you got here is also of wonder to you.
Last you saw him was by a waterfall not too far of from where he is currently. Though that time has long since fleeted.
You remember him from that noticeable Wanted poster, something off and eye catching that only did you realize and appreciate when seeing him in person. You first maintained distance, but did not fail to see that subtle scar not so hidden by the way his dark-faded locks draped over his faces. His hair leonine and tied up, making you wonder how it would look all the way down. His eyes closed at that time, but the way he caressed his blade as though caring for it and murmuring some kind of promise that he forever will be shackled to.
In some way it grabbed you, but as you were awestruck in mindless wonder, he shifted from where he was. Alerted and unknowing if he noticed, you backed away — only to try and sneak a glance again before realizing he was long gone.
Fondness of his presence grew as he came and went. At this point, this wasn't your first time having been sidetracked by this mysterious figure.
Nor has he been unaware of your own looming stature in a safe, yet knowing distance. You never properly spoke, but there was a mutual comfort and silence. Two strangers; out with their own goals, traveling vast and beyond, with seemingly no place to really call home.
As you caught yourself in those nonsensical thoughts, realizing you should be on your way now, as to not disturb his peace or whatever he sought out to do —A low, yet soothing voice breaks through.
Cutting through the wind sharp and cold, you're immediately stopped in what was supposed to be your escape.
"It's quite rude to appear and suddenly leave unannounced" he calls. Solidifying he has been aware of you and your trailing in the shadows for who knows how long.
You turned to find he has stood much closer to you. Still a distance, but much closer. Close enough you really appreciated his eyes. Despite the loss of vision, they were both clear and clouded to what you can only imagine is some sort of turmoil within himself.
You gently spoke up in a way it was surprising to you, "Forgive me, I did not want to disturb your peace."
With a short silence that felt way too long for your liking, he replied,
"Not so peaceful with your eyes locking onto me."
You can only be relieved that he cant truly see your expression shifts to one of loathing at yourself for being so painfully obvious.
"If it bothered you so much then you should have spoken up much earlier… But I really did not mean to disturb you. I was simply, admiring." EndING with truth to your words, seeing no reason to hide that fact.
Maybe a slight admittance that you should've been more cautious.
"Intriguing." He comments, as if thats all there was to it.
Curiosity crept, a part that did not want to break this thin line of shrouded mystery by developing something more than admiration.
Shallow? Perhaps. Necessary? Maybe.
Something urged to not associate with this man whose face was displayed on Wanted posters. Someone whose air around him felt heavy and almost suffocating of a weight being carried with deep ponder and emotion. Nevertheless, a voice deep within you longed to know more, dared to know more.
Was this a sense of belonging you yearned?
From years of loneliness and wandering maybe? A feeling of familiarity in relating to someone again after all this time?
The answer of what it could be even intrigued you.
…As if sensing the unease dwelling, he speaks up again with the same tone as earlier that dangerously leave you wanting more.
"Care for a drink? Unless you don't fancy medicine.”
Leaning back on a bamboo, swiftly grabbing his flask, movement slowing as he gestured it slightly towards you as a form of invitation. You cautiously let your hand linger on the flask for a moment before accepting.
"Why the sudden pleasantries?"
He was silent for a beat.
"Thought I should accompany a fellow stranger. Not much to do out here, is there?"
You decided to indulge in conversation. Wanting to hear his voice more, and simply wanting to know. To know, to listen, to grasp a bit of his life and what journey he was on.
To what could possibly have him carry so much weight but tread so lightly on his feet to go unnoticed? Silent like the dead of night, seemingly nowhere but also everywhere like the fog that comes and dissipates through the cold biome. A rugged beauty like the bumps and craters of the bright moon.
Before either of you knew it, the sun began to set, and night would soon curtain the sky. It seemed like you talked about everything but also nothing at all.
"Farewell. May we meet again over a nice cup of tea for once rather than your medicine."
"That would be lovely." Was what he last said, before his figure was soon consumed by the growing fog of the forest the further he went. Bamboo lines now forming like a small cage in your lonesome.
Months came and went, moments with him fleeting like the wind.
Then... What you thought would be the same familiar, calm, scene in the forest – goes south when you find your familiar companion leaning heavily on the bamboos for support.
Blood smeared across his clothes and hands, a bit stained and smudged on his worn face. You hurriedly, but not desperately, closed the safe distance to tend to him.
He quickly tried to get up but his knees failed him. Tripping lightly over himself as he gripped the bamboo and had yourself to support under his arm, catching his stumble. His chest slightly heaved as he took some hard and shallow breaths, the state of him of which you couldn't help but question what on earth could have happened this time.
Urging him to settle down again. Though hesitant and unwilling, the weight on his feet knew better than to betray him, so settle he did. A slight wince escaped and only now did you realize the state of his injuries.
Although it shouldn't have been a bother, the way it felt as if his unfocused gaze was somehow locked in your direction as you sterilized his wounds, couldn't help but waiver your focus.
"Thank you.." His voice a bit ragged but still soothing broke up the air and wander in your mind.
"It seems I may have to be indebted to you for this inconvenience".
Bewildered as to why he would even think this as an inconvenience, much less a concern, you attempted to ease his assumption.
"There's no need, just be sure to show up neatly in our next drinking session."
"Mmm." He hummed seemingly halfheartedly, eyes fluttering down, as if deep in thought at the mere mention of a "tomorrow".
You sense a shift in him and unknowingly whispered aloud,
“Do you care so little about yourself?"
It was so silent, the howls of the wind could be deafening.
Growing wide eyed at the mere disbelief of your own words, "I’m… I’m sorry if that was out line."
Quickly apologizing for your rudeness and cursing under your breath. You may have gotten close over the last months of a routine but never had either of your pried more than what was said in fleeting conversations between drinks. Shifting slightly farther from him now with a bit of embarrassment, he finally spoke up.
"It's alright... My apologies, of course you will be concerned. Thank you."
After tending to his wounds, your hand laid and rested on his palm where his tacet mark is. He tensed for a moment at the sudden touch.
"Mind telling me how you got these then?" Eyes focused on his blood stained hand that yours held.
He continued, "I.. was a bit careless, but worry no further as these injuries are not severe. I will be fine soon enough..."
He struggled to sit up as he tried to adjust himself more comfortably. You helped, still with one hand holding his. His grip tightened with strain as he sat upright. Deep breaths escaping him.
Your free hand now cupped under his that you still held, encasing it with what warmth you could. Hoping that he could feel, sense it even, the care and concern you had. Maybe it would somehow soothe his state.
Even just looking at him now, you were relieved to be by his side again regardless.
"So," you smiled. "How bout a cup of tea to lighten you up? My fellow stranger."
