Work Text:
A certain Taoist sits on the edge of a cliff, with a small clay flask of wine beside him. The wind accompanied him with a soft whisper as if trying to ease his large sorrows. Chung Myung tilts the flask, pouring the wine into two ceramic cups. Placing the other cup to his side, he takes his own and raises the cup in a silent toast to the heavens.
"Let's have a drink, Bo-ah"
He says softly to himself and then sighs, "Just like we used to" he takes a slow sip, his gaze fixed on the endless mountains of Mount Hua then looks to his side and sees a lone cup. He can't help but laugh bitterly at such a sight, laughing pitifully at himself for acting like this.
His hand trembles as he refills his cup, memories flickering in his mind of a man dressed in green, he then continues to drink and drink, mindlessly letting himself loose and trying to fill the gap in his heart that has been torn apart from him when he had died. His vision blurs, a smile reaching his face as if this was a familiar thing for him, he reaches for the flask but falters, his hand slipping as the world tilts.
Chung Myung collapses onto the ground, closing his eyes and letting himself be swept to wherever he would be taken. Maybe it would let him forget his loneliness.
When Chung Myung woke up, he was back on the same cliff. The wine flask lay where he had left it, but something felt different. With a shake of his head, he lets it be, it may not be that important. A groan escaped him as he sat up, a pounding headache dulling his senses. He prepared to leave, intending to stumble back to the dormitory, but a hand stopped him mid-step.
"Taoist Hyung, are you already leaving me?"
The words froze him in place. Slowly, he turned his gaze—and his breath caught in his throat.
"Bo-ah?" he whispered, his voice stuttering with disbelief.
Before him stood Tang Bo, the man in green. His form was solid, and his presence was undeniable. Chung Myung blinked rapidly, his mind refusing to believe.
Tang Bo huffed in amusement. "Hyung-nim, have you already drunk too much? It’s me, Tang Bo! Why do you look so surprised?" He grinned mischievously, forcing Chung Myung to sit back down. He poured him another cup of wine, his hands as steady and familiar as ever.
"Come on, continue drinking with me. We’ve only just started!"
Chung Myung hesitated but eventually complied. He raised the cup to his lips, only to spit its contents out violently. "YAH! What did you put in this?!" he exclaimed, hurling the cup back at Tang Bo, who doubled over in laughter.
"You should’ve seen your face, Hyung-nim!" Tang Bo’s laughter was contagious, his expression bright despite his flushed cheeks from drinking. "It’s a new concoction of poison I’m working on. Did you like it?"
"If it weren’t for my pure qi, I’d be dead right now!" Chung Myung shouted, glaring at Tang Bo.
"Ah, but you’re not, so it’s fine! That’s why I gave it to you," Tang Bo replied in assurance as if to say that he knew what he was doing in the first place.
"YAH! You leech!" Chung Myung raised his hand as if to hit him, but Tang Bo raised his own in mock defense, his grin ever-present.
"Hahaha!"
The two men banter beneath the moonlight, their laughter mingling with the cool night air. As dawn approaches, its golden light spilling across the mountains, their conversation slows.
"I swear, those chicks you’re training are growing up so fast. It’s terrifying," Tang Bo remarked.
"Of course! That’s because they’re learning from me," Chung Myung said, puffing his chest proudly.
Tang Bo chuckled, his expression softening. He looked at the rising sun, his face shadowed with an indescribable mix of emotions.
"Taoist Hyung..." he said quietly.
Chung Myung turned to him, curious. "Yeah?"
Tang Bo’s gaze met his, filled with a quiet intensity. "It’s time for you to move on."
Chung Myung stared, disbelieving. "What are you talking about, Bo-ah?" For a moment it felt like the world stopped again.
Tang Bo’s voice softened, almost a whisper. "It’s been years, Hyung-nim." Tears welled up in his eyes, his lips trembling trying to hold in a smile as if it took all his strength to say the words. His form flickered like smoke caught in the wind. "Taoist Hyung... please wake up. I’m not here anymore."
-
Chung Myung jolted awake, gasping. Breathing heavily, he noticed that the flask lay empty beside him, the second cup untouched. He stared at it for a long moment and tensed, as he felt something wet trailing down his face. His hand reached up, trembling slightly. Tears.
"Tang Bo-ah…" he whispered, his voice breaking as he spoke the name. It came out weak, filled with the emotions welling up inside him.
His gaze fell to the empty flask beside him, and the untouched cup sitting quietly in its place. His shoulders shook as the tears came harder, slipping freely down his cheeks. A soft sob escaped him, quiet and raw, as he bowed his head. How many times he had cried and mourned for those people he cherished dearly, how much his heart had been twisted in pain at the thought that he was left alone, and how much he had prayed just for someone to be with him and ease his burden.
But no one answered...
All he can ever do is just bare it all, his body trembling trying to bury himself onto the ground, thinking about the lone cup with a thought for that one person he wishes to be here with him right now.
I miss you so much, Tang Bo
this is also a collab with Stary so please check out her art for this fic on twitter!!