Work Text:
The Uncrowned Lord Of The Sea is no stranger to direction of the water. She could steer her ship from Inazuma back to Liyue completely blindfolded and hands behind her back, if someone dared her to. Even with complete confidence of knowing how to get to Liyue from any of the nations, she’d still look up to the brightest star in all of Teyvat and make her way by following it.
Beidou’s quite familiar with constellations and stargazing, one of the many methods of navigating the waters, but the Jade Chamber was unlike any star in the sky. It was more than just a floating palace, it was a symbol of Liyue. A symbol of the Tianquan she loved ever so dearly. As long as she sees the Chamber in all of its majesty, Beidou will remain calm and collected, counting the days until she can make it home to her beloved. She only wished to know sooner that she had truly been counting the days of how much time left the Jade Chamber had as an airborne palace before the sea claimed it.
The Captain remembered returning from Inazuma and the subsequent events with such detail she didn’t think her memory was capable of. She hardly encountered such dangerous storms in her entire life. The waves pushed and pulled violently, making it almost impossible to steer the ship. Thunder and lightning roared from the heavens, the dark blue sky turning into bright shades of purple. Her own claymore that she carried resonated with the power of the storm and sparked faint electricity. She stared out into the sea, calculating that this was beyond mother nature’s will. Something far greater was behind this.
The moment ended as quickly as it came. If one looked closely, they’d notice a gigantic beast emerging from the waters and the bright bursts of elements coming together. The shades of blue, purple, and gold stuck out the most amongst the battle, and the atmosphere became incredibly tense throughout the entire sea. And that was the moment when Beidou saw the waters die down, and her heart had failed to beat.
Beidou watched in horror as the most familiar star in sky, the home to Beidou’s most prized treasure, what had kept in her balance every second she could not be with Ningguang, come crashing down at fatal speed, releasing a shockwave of immense energy that Beidou could sense it from miles away, and it silenced the waters completely. It had all happened so fast that Beidou could not process any thoughts other than Ningguang’s safety.
No orders had been made, not that they had been necessary, for the Alcor to set sail straight back to the south wharf of Liyue Harbor. No one dared bother Beidou, leaving her to her thoughts and concerns in the same spot she stood for several hours.
The young woman stood on the wharf, silently noting the boats that loaded and unloaded, counting how many arrived and then how many left. Twirling the gold plated smoke pipe between her fingers, she subconsciously wondered how the common folk could deal with such a limited, low view of the nation, rather than be able to see Liyue in all of its glory high in the air. Oh, how she’ll truly miss that.
Bright sunlight shined down on Liyue, apologizing for the storm from the battle that happened little over a day ago, blessing the citizens with its warmth. Yet even so, Ningguang felt lonely and cold, for everything that mattered the most had slipped from her grasp. She gazed out as if the Jade Chamber would suddenly rise from the depths of the ocean and return to its position in the sky, knowing full well that would be impossible.
It was to protect Liyue, Ningguang would constantly remind herself. She may have spent, many, many years building her chamber and dreaming of its formidability across the seven nations of Teyvat, but that could not challenge the thousands of innocent lives who would no doubt perish under Osial’s wrath, for the chamber could be rebuilt, but a life would never be replaceable.
Regardless of that, to see her precious work destroyed in a matter of seconds unimaginably tore Ningguang in half. The pain dwelling in her chest never left since, because the only possible remedy that would help cure it had been out at sea, and to make matters worse, her safety was undetermined. How outrageous that the person Ningguang wished to protect the most was nowhere near Liyue, but rather sharing the same ocean as that horrid god.
“Lady Ningguang? Is everything alright?”
Ningguang turned in order to give the voice a body, though she knew its identity beforehand. Ganyu carefully approached the Tianquan, a warm smile on her face. Ningguang offered a returning expression and nodded.
“Absolutely, Ganyu. I appreciate the concern. Did you bring anything to report?” Ningguang always did keep things simple.
“There’s a handful of reports waiting on your desk, the ones that you’ve asked of, you’ve been tasked to look over them, and your secretaries are attempting to schedule some meetings, with your approval, of course..”
Ningguang sighed, the same old as always, but perhaps that was the one thing that would stay the same forever. Her responsibilities as Tianquan always breathed down her neck, making any free time from her duties very short and precious. The pipe diminished from her fingers as she glanced over the waters one last moment.
“Ganyu, do you have any information on the location of the Crux Fleet?”
Whether Ganyu knew of her.. associations with Beidou or not was never Ningguang’s concern. Long ago, the Captain and the Tianquan developed a mutual policy of not bothering to hide nor show their relationship, so it would be anyone’s assumption of why Ningguang would affiliate with Beidou. In response, Ganyu simply shook her head.
“We’re currently unaware how far the Alcor was into sea, we don’t know if..” Ganyu didn’t dare finish.
Ningguang almost froze, her thoughts coming to a halt. Her hand gently scratched at her collarbone until her finger caught and steadily twirled a loose strand of white, silky hair, in order to appear less distressed. She inhaled and spoke, not turning to Ganyu, but rather to keep her eyes on the open water.
“They were much too far,” She stated matter of factly. “They were off to Inazuma, were they not? Even if they hit the borders and turned right back, they’d still be too far. Much too far.”
Ningguang refused a chuckle, for it would have come out in a trembling manner. One might have fallen for her words and dismissed it as a knowledgeable statement, when in truth it had been nothing more than words of self-reassurance. Who would truly know how close Beidou— how close the Alcor was to Osial’s destructive waves?
As that thought crossed her mind, she pondered if Beidou had seen what had happened. If she had seen the giant Jade star descending to the deep and never-ending blue at incredible speed.. a speed that would certainly show no mercy to any soul.. if Beidou’s first thought would be..
“Lady Ningguang, if the Crux Fleet’s Captain were to arrive at Liyue Harbor, I would immediately send her to you, if it shall put you at ease.”
The conditional sentence of whether or not Beidou would return to Liyue Harbor was something Ningguang could only wish she was able to dismiss. One cannot confirm that Beidou’s safe arrival home is certain, and that dissatisfied Ningguang, her head now occupied with torturous notions. Ningguang had chosen to sacrifice the Jade Chamber for the sake of Liyue, but she did not, and would never, choose to sacrifice..
“Lady Ningguang?” Ganyu called.
“If the Captain of the Crux Fleet were to set foot on the Harbor, I’m quite confident that she’d need no escort to find me,” Ningguang nodded slowly, now finally turning to look upon the Qixing’s emissary.
“You’ve done a fine job aiding both me and Liyue these past events, Ganyu. I thank you for everything.”
“It’s nothing more but a part of my contract. I shall pray alongside you for Captain Beidou’s safe return.”
“For all of the members of the Crux Fleet’s safe return, you mean?”
“Ah, of course. I had only assumed Captain Beidou was your immediate priority.”
Getting teased by a certain boat captain no longer affected Ningguang, but to be teased by the Qixing’s secretary had suddenly become a... humiliating experience.
Ningguang skimmed over the large stack of reports, sitting ever so prettily in her office as her secretaries carefully eyed her. Ever since the fall of the chamber, her secretaries all kept a close watch of her while she worked, and their true reason for doing so was one that Ningguang required more observation for. She did not pay any mind to them, though the staring and tense silence did indeed disturb her peacefulness.
“Lady Ningguang, we cannot help but worry that you’re filing such a large amount of reports in order to keep yourself distracted,” Baishi started. “These matters really aren’t worth your precious time..”
“All matters regarding Liyue’s laws are demanded to be looked over by me, that is the major factor of my job, no?” Ningguang did not look up at Baishi.
“We mean no offence, Lady Ningguang,” Baiwen apologized. “We simply would like to offer you some service, so that you may find the time to properly grieve over your loss. We know how much the Chamber meant to you..”
“As Baishi said, my time is precious, and thus I have business to attend right here. You truly aren’t-"
“She’d love it if you could grab those off her desk for a minute, yeah?” A gruff voice interrupted her.
The Tianquan nearly lost her composure at the sight of the pirate captain in healthy condition, standing before her with a prideful smirk as she leaned against the doorway. Ningguang’s secretaries eyed Beidou in an annoyed expression, aware of how often Beidou would visit Ningguang unannounced whenever she pleased, and this time was clearly no different.
“Excuse me, Lady Ningguang has not scheduled any-“
“File these off for me, will you? I need to discuss something with Captain Beidou, privately.”
Baishi stuttered and her jaw dropped, failing to say any words until Baixiao scolded her and told her to get a move on. The three secretaries all left and once Ningguang could no longer spot them, she rushed into Beidou’s arms and hugged the Captain with invigorating intensity.
Ningguang’s hands roamed freely and passionately, worshipping her body and the fact that it was alive and well, and standing before her at this very moment. Beidou took hold of Ningguang’s jaw and tilted her chin upwards before smirking softly.
“Only getting more beautiful, good to see,” Beidou said.
“Your flattery, to this day, does not carry any effect on me."
“Does it now?”
Beidou leaned in and Ningguang did not let a second escape. Tugging Beidou’s clothing to bring her forward, her lips leapt to meet with the Captain’s, relishing in the same warmth and taste as she remembered from their last day together. These small but special moments with Beidou were more desirable than an immediate return of Ningguang’s chamber, for her chamber would never keep her in a good mood that her lover would provide daily.
“Feisty today,” Beidou hummed.
“I was worried you would not return from your voyage,” Ningguang admitted softly.
“Without the proper goodbye? You think I can’t handle some big waves?”
“The sea won’t show mercy to anyone, Beidou. You know this as well as I do.”
“But as long as I’m on the ship, they’re as close to my command as I’d like. I'm the Lord of the Sea for a reason, yes?”
Ningguang did not respond, her hands taking firm grasp of Beidou’s shoulders and examining her carefully. No visible injuries as of now, which was a good sign. She did always detest when Beidou would come home in a different condition. Beidou chuckled as Ningguang eyed her body carefully, seeing as how Ningguang rarely paid personal attention to anyone.
“Like what you see, huh?”
“ I do enjoy seeing you unharmed, yes,” She said as she brushed a strand of Beidou’s hair behind her ear.
Ningguang was assuming that the Captain must’ve stepped off of her ship recently, and in that sense Beidou must be exhausted. Yet, Beidou seemed refreshed, simply observing Ningguang as though the woman brought back memories.
“What is it?’ Ningguang asked.
“I just.. I thought I lost you.. that day. And I don’t know what I’d do if it were true.”
Ningguang frowned, unfortunately remembering what she wished to forget. Beidou’s free hand took hold of Ningguang’s own in an attempt to comfort her, and although she accepted it and held it steadily, the comfort did not ever come for Ningguang.
“I wasn’t thinking I’d see you here, already working,” Beidou muttered. “You’ve really been through a lot, and I’m sure Liyue could manage about a day on their own.”
There it was again. The constant reassurance from her peers to step away from her duties for the time being. Surely they should know that only reminding herself of her sacrifice would make it worse? Why should she waste her time on doing nothing if she could be worrying about her chamber some other day? Ningguang couldn’t understand what they were thinking when they suggested she take a break.
It was as if Beidou read her mind, now looking at the Tianquan sympathetically.
“I know you’re a bit of a workaholic, and you probably think that Liyue needs you more than ever, too. But I really don’t like seeing you like this. How about we just.. take a walk? Get some fresh air?”
Ningguang did not oblige, turning back to her desk and resting on the surface. Looking down at her feet, Ningguang allowed herself to.. reminisce of what she had accomplished with the Jade Chamber, but she was immersed with the memory of her sacrifice, and all confidence and composure was lost.
“Any memory of my former chamber is worthless now. It’s lost at sea permanently, and that thought alone causes me grief, which I should rid immediately if I’m to perform my duty as Tianquan-“
Beidou placed both hands across from Ningguang’s legs and leaned in awfully close, the familiar smell of beer and Yaoguang Shoal’s scent of the sea filling Ningguang’s senses in an instant. It is becoming a reflex for Ningguang’s lips to part like water, making way for Beidou.
“Shh,” Beidou interrupted her, ever so casually, knowing that Ningguang would not reprimand it. “Being Tianquan is far from important right now.”
With the tacit understanding that Beidou had no intentions of fooling around with Ningguang, the Tianquan’s lips sealed shut. She flinched when Beidou’s hand approached her face, her breath halting for a long moment as Beidou’s calloused palm cradled the side of her jaw. The warmth of someone else’s hand, the comforting touch of a loved one..
Ningguang melted into Beidou’s hand and failed to hide the tears. It was the very first time Ningguang had ever cried in the eyes of others. Ostensibly, the first time she’s cried ever since she accepted the position of Tianquan.
Beidou remained wordless as Ningguang openly sobbed before her, and it was undecided if this made her feel worse or not. Her tears stained her dry cheeks and would slip down to Beidou’s palm, similar to the pattern of falling rain.
“Ganyu told me you haven’t eaten or slept since,” Beidou started, and Ningguang almost identified a sliver of panic in her tone. “Why won’t you realize you deserve some time to yourself? Please, Ning, why aren’t you taking a break?”
“What good would it do? I’d be miserable! Accompanied with nothing but the constant reminders of watching my most precious treasure thrown into the sea? I.. I wouldn’t-“
Ningguang choked at how out of character this had been for her. A horrible feeling surged in her chest, threatening to explode and break her completely, and she felt lost with no way out. It was a pain worse than what she’s ever experienced, and she wanted it to stop, begging for it to do so.
The pain numbed immediately once she felt Beidou wrap her strong arms around her waist, picking her up with ease and setting her down to her feet with such gentle ease, as if Ningguang were a porcelain doll, even being treated so while Beidou’s fingers ran through her strands of hair, tucking them behind her ear, and gently brushing the tears away.
“What you did that day was so brave, no one imagined you cared for Liyue that much..” Though her voice faltered, her message was clear and sure of herself.
“Is’ what the merchants are saying, y’know? Nobody guessed that you were willing to protect Liyue with such courage that you sacrificed your own chamber with no hesitation.. you’re so brave, they say.”
Ningguang’s breath steadied, her body calming down as she listened to Beidou speak to her sweetly and touch her softly. There truly was no one who would love her and spoil her the way Beidou would.
“Not that it matters,” Beidou chuckled. “But what you did was so strong in such.. immeasurable ways that even I found impressive, but you’ve never failed to amaze me, have you? Guess that's why I love you."
Ningguang hummed in simple response, her lips curling into a small smile. She then turned to glance at the empty shelf beside her, where her collection of treasures would normally be stored in the Jade Chamber's office.
“But, all of the gifts you sent me from your journeys, especially that gorgeous vase..”
“Yeah, about that..”
Beidou walked away from Ningguang and disappeared for a moment, now returning with both a chipped vase and a.. unusual companion. It glowed in a playful yellow color, bouncing and floating around like a little ball of sunlight.
“This little guy found it in Guyun Stone Forest and made it his home for the time being. Pretty cute, no? Reminds me of a certain someone.”
“Does it now?” Ningguang took hold of the vase, frowning at the few pieces missing and the elegant stroke of the Crux Fleet’s signature now smudged and imperfect.
The ball of light immediately flew over to Ningguang and rested on her head, comforted by her hair as though it was a blanket, and acted as though it were asleep. It made the two of them giggle quietly.
“It is adorable,” Ningguang admitted. “I will present this as my most beloved treasure when I return the Jade Chamber to its former glory,” Ningguang promised. “From the Captain of the Crux Fleet.”
“No need for formalities,” Beidou leaned and placed a gentle kiss on Ningguang's forehead. “‘From Beidou’ is fine enough.”