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The last time Beidou had seen Ningguang was a week ago, when she had kissed her goodbye at Liyue Harbor, before leaving for another sail. The trip didn’t last long, but it was enough for her to miss the Tianquan and the friends who weren’t aboard the Alcor with her.
The Crux Fleet had planned to arrive in Liyue at night on the 13th day of february, but a sudden storm made them postpone their departure. Beidou was an experienced sailor and knew they could possibly make it through the storm, but she didn’t dare risk her crew’s safety, no matter how much she trusted herself, so they left Inazuma on the following day.
Beidou woke up after hearing someone calling her name and knocking on the bedroom’s door. Noticing that it was still night, she assumed it was an emergency and hurried to answer it, not caring to dress properly or put her eyepatch on. Rapidly summoning her claymore she opened the door, wearing only a large t-shirt and her underwear, just to see Juza holding a cup at her, some of her other friends standing behind him with warm smiles on their faces.
“It’s midnight” Juza explained, giving her the cup “Happy birthday, captain”
“You scared me, I thought we had an emergency.” Beidou said with a serious tone, putting the cup on the table next to her bed. After a few seconds her face cracked into a smile and she jumped into Juza’s arms, giving him a tight hug and giggling “Thank you so much guys. What’s on the cup?”
“Well, since we were planning on spending your birthday in Liyue we didn't buy the things to make a cake to celebrate it, nor enough food to make our traditional feast on tomorrow’s lunch, but we always have drinks on board” Furong explained “And it’s a beautiful night, so why not a drink under the stars, right?”
“I’m in” Beidou chuckled happily “Just let me get dressed first”
The captain closed the door and smiled to herself, thankful for the friends she had with her. She drank the sake from the cup, put her clothes on and went to the ship’s deck, where every member of the Crux was waiting for her, lanterns illuminating the night, making the Alcor look more like a cruise than a pirate ship, but she didn’t mind. Beidou was absolutely glad for her crew.
“Please remind me. How old are you now, captain?” Furong asked.
“30” Beidou answered “Why?”
“Congratulations, finally a real grown up” Sea Drake mocked and ruffed her hair.
“You are funny today aren’t you?” Beidou commented and punched his arm, both of them laughing at each other.
“So I will serve you 30 sips” Furong explained, taking the empty cup from the captain's hands.
“Is this some sort of tradition?” Huixing asked with certain curiosity.
“I just made it up now, but I’m pretty sure that if we look across the seven nations we will find some place in Teyvat that has this tradition” Furong shrugged and continued serving, making everyone who heard the conversation start chuckling.
“I liked it” Beidou confessed, accepting the cup and drinking.
They spent two hours drinking and chatting excitedly, commenting on their recent trip and recalling former ones. Beidou felt once more completely satisfied, knowing that she was surrounded by people who cared so much for her. Already pleasantly buzzed, they decided to call it a night and everyone went to bed. On the next day, they had a normal lunch and continued their trip back to Liyue as usual, Beidou working and helping her employees the entire day. It was nearly 20h when they approached the harbor, docking the Alcor on the usual place.
“Hey, captain” Sea Drake called “I know you are probably tired, but do you mind helping us discuss some details with the guys who work on the shipyard? I could do it myself, but I do believe they will pay more attention to you. You are very respected around here, after all.”
“Sure” Beidou agreed, taking a look at the city, completely decorated for the Lantern Rite. She wasn’t even sure what her sailor was talking about, she thought everything was settled between the Crux and the dock’s workers, but she accepted to go help just to leave everything in order for when she held Ningguang’s hand tonight and only let go of it when the festival was over.
They walked for a couple minutes until they reached the only part of the harbor that wasn’t decorated for the rite, a place that seemed now almost forgotten, where they usually repaired the ships. Beidou kept thinking about Ningguang, but those thoughts didn’t stop her from noticing how weird the situation was. There were no workers in sight at that part of the docks, because they were probably helping with the event. The captain was about to complain when she heard voices in the distance. There was someone there after all.
“Sorry, captain” Juza apologized as they kept walking “It was the most reserved place we found that could fit everyone”
Beidou wanted to ask what the hell he was talking about, but in a few more seconds they reached their destination. The voices she had heard belonged to Ganyu and Yaoyao, who were sitting on a table with Keqing. The captain didn’t even have time to react, as she felt a thin body collide against her strong one.
“Welcome home” Xiangling let go of the hug she had given the pirate with a wide smile on her lips “And happy birthday”
After that Beidou finally managed to process what was going on, seeing the tables set, the lanterns illuminating the space, the wires filled with decorative flags and the improvised kitchen Xiangling had set up.
“When did you have time to plan all of this?” Beidou asked, thanking Xianling and taking another look at the decoration, incapable of stopping herself from smiling.
“We have been planning this for weeks now. When you didn't arrive last night, we weren’t sure if you were going to be here in time today, but Furong sent a letter when you left Inazuma so we prepared everything” Ganyu explained, hurrying to hug her friend “Happy birthday… Sorry, I almost forgot it with all the explanation”
Beidou laughed at the Qilin facepalming herself and blushing, before hugging her once more and thanking her. Yaoyao ran towards the captain, wishing her a happy birthday as Beidou picked her on her lap and said her thanks.
Putting the little girl back on the floor it was time to welcome Keqing in a hug. The Yuheng said she was glad to have Beidou back again and gave the pirate her best wishes. Beidou thanked her and took another look around, as if she expected Ningguang to suddenly show up. Of course, she didn’t.
“She’s not here, she’s working” Keqing answered, trying to keep her cool tone, but snorting a little, clearly irritated.
“Well we shouldn’t expect Ning to suddenly turn into a different person, right?” Beidou tried her best to laugh and ignore the pain she felt on her chest. She knew that it wasn’t Ningguang’s fault, that if she was working probably there was an urgent situation to deal with. However, it would be hard to celebrate with everyone except her.
Ganyu agreed and smiled warmly at the captain, probably aware of the storm of feelings forming inside of her. That small gesture of understanding along with the awareness that Ningguang would at least spend the rite with her made her take a deep breath and start talking to Xiangling about the food.
“What did you prepare against us, kid?” Beidou chuckled, regaining her usual good mood.
“A lot of things, actually” Xiangling let out a rather mischievous grin “I prepared fish, pork, chicken and also some vegetables for Ganyu. Some of this dishes are honestly spicy enough to kill someone, but I thought you might enjoy it”
“I will” Beidou laughed excitedly.
“Also, I have a gift for you” the young chef mentioned and crouched, reaching for a wood box “Hope you enjoy it”
Beidou thanked her before she even opened the box, grateful for the act itself. When she finished opening she noticed six glass recipients with tags.
“Those are some homemade compotes I prepared. I've been testing for a couple weeks and these six are by far my masterpieces. They are all tagged, one of them is a jueyun chilli sauce, valberry jam, dried qingxin mixed with sweet flower for tea, wolfhook jam, sun dried sunsettia and a radish pickle. I thought that you might enjoy those, and they last a long time so you can take them on your trips on the sea”
“You are the best” Beidou smiled and hugged her again “Thank you again. I loved it!”
Beidou walked away to let the girl continue her cooking and found a safe place in the corner to keep her gift until the party was over. She was putting the box on the ground when she felt someone poke her shoulder, she turned around and saw Keqing handing an envelope to her.
“Your birthday gift” the Yuheng smiled “I considered purchasing you a new claymore, but I know how attached you are to this one, just like I am to my own blade. But that thing you carry around could use a repair” the Yuheng provoked her a little “So go to Hanfengs’s Ironmongers whenever you need, my treat”
“Woah, Keqing. This is so nice, thank you” Beidou smiled widely looking at the giftcard. The Qixing could really get anything they wanted, she thought with a chuckle.
“Uh, Beidou” Ganyu shyly called, a discreet blush on her cheeks “Here. It’s not much, but it’s my attempt on a gift for you”
The captain gladly took the small box and the envelope in her hands. She first opened the envelope, revealing a Liyue painting, from a very high view where you could see the entire harbor. It didn’t take Beidou more than a second to realize from where she was seeing the city.
“You once told me you have a picture of the harbor on your ship, cause you sometimes get homesick, no matter how much you like traveling. I couldn’t decide a location, so I asked Lady Ningguang if I could paint the view from the Jade Chamber, cause you can basically see everything from that high. I could’ve just taken a picture from there and gone home to paint but instead I spent an entire day sitting at the entrance. The Tianquan didn’t seem to bother though” Ganyu sighed.
“She could never. Not when you were doing such a nice thing” Beidou explained, her voice threatening to crack at Ganyu’s kindness. She managed to thank the Qilin and open the box, revealing a wire with leaves attached to it.
“Xiao taught me how to do it. It’s an adeptus amulet, to put evil away or close to that. Unfortunately, I can't quite remember. I remember I told him I wanted something that would keep you safe during your trips, because we all worry for your well being when you leave the harbor” Ganyu smiled gently and Beidou hurried to thank her and give the girl a tight hug, caressing her arms and saying that she had loved both gifts, and that it meant a lot for her.
When they let go of each other, Yaoyao ran the way to the captain and asked Ganyu if she had remembered to bring her gift as well. The adeptus nodded and gave Beidou a smaller envelope, which she happily opened, revealing a childish drawing of Liyue Harbor, also seen from a high point.
“I wanted to give you something special because it’s your birthday, I like you a lot and I’m glad you always let me come aboard your ship to play! So I asked Ganyu for ideas and she told me to paint with her. It was nice, Miss Ningguang invited us for dinner after we were done!”
Beidou chuckled and thanked the girl for the drawing, a few seconds later they heard Xiangling saying the food was almost ready.
“Who paid for all of that?” Beidou asked, observing the exaggerated amount of food and drinks Xiangling was putting on the serving trays.
“Everyone” Ganyu explained “The drinks, for example, are a courtesy of your own crew”
“Our gift for you, captain” Juza added with a smile, Beidou giving him a thumbs up and a chuckle.
“Keqing, Xiangling and I paid for the food” Ganyu continued “And Lady Ningguang managed to reserve this space and paid for the rent, the tables, and the decorations. She also got us the dishes, cups and the cutlery”
Beidou smiled and once more showed her gratitude for her friends. She was ready to take a seat next to Ganyu when she heard something. There she was. Heels clicking on the woodway, Ningguang hurried to arrive in time for dinner.
When she finally got there, Beidou didn't exactly run to meet her. It didn’t matter that every single person in that place knew they were together, the Tianquan always liked to be discreet. Knowing that, the captain calmly walked towards her with a genuine smile, as she observed Ningguang put the bag she was carrying on the ground and, unexpectedly, rush to embrace her.
“Sorry, I was waiting for a delivery and ended up getting late” Ningguang apologized, neck resting on Beidou’s shoulder. She politely greeted the Crux’s crew, Yaoyao and the other three women before speaking again “Happy birthday”
Ningguang cupped the captain’s face and brought her close for a quick loving kiss, before reaching for the bag she had brought with her. Beidou just watched her, completely numbed by the joy of finally seeing the Tianquan again.
“Jean and Lisa couldn’t come, but they said they’ll make it to the Lantern Rite. And they sent you this letter. I was waiting for it, but the messenger ended up getting lost and since everyone is busy with the event I went after him personally.” Ningguang explained and handed a long wood box to Beidou “They also sent you a bottle of dandelion wine as a gift”
“Definitely my kind of gift” Beidou chuckled “How adorable, Klee signed her own name at the envelope”
The captain opened the letter and read it. Jean had obviously written it, placing her’s and Lisa’s best wishes, and at the end there was a childish note, but it was written in Jean’s perfect calligraphy.
“Happy Birthday, Miss Beidou. Hope you enjoy your day. Klee is trying her best to behave so she can go to the festival with you. Miss you” Beidou read out loud and laughed at how adorable Klee was.
She had always been good with kids, and Klee was no exception. When they traveled to Mondstadt for the first time, the girl was enchanted by her and her stories, especially when Beidou told her she often found treasures.
“Isn’t she adorable?” Ningguang chuckled softly then whispered “I got you a gift too, but it’s in my office. I’ll give you when we get back to the Jade Chamber”
“Sure” Beidou kissed her once more “Don’t worry, Ning. Thank you for this. I already thanked everyone at least twice tonight, but you guys are simply great”
“Oh, we are aware” Xiangling remarked “Now the two of you sit down or the food will get cold”
Doing as they were told, Beidou sat by Ganyu’s side, Ningguang taking the chair next to her. They started eating the absolutely delicious food Xiangling had prepared, Beidou occasionally drinking a whole cup of beer to get rid of the burning feeling on her tongue, as she continued to try the ridiculously spicy foods that the girl had made specially for her.
It was even better than Beidou could’ve ever imagined. A great meal, lots of drinks, her crew having fun, Suling and Keqing talking about swords while Ganyu and Xiangling continued to talk about culinary uses of the Qingxin’s bitter flavor, and Ningguang by her side.
It was past midnight when everyone decided to call it a day and go home. Ningguang helped the captain carry her gifts and they went together to the Jade Chamber, the Tianquan promptly guiding her to the office.
“I wasn’t sure about what I should give you” Ningguang started talking lowering her tone “You gift me nice things all the time, and I wanted to do the same for you”
Beidou smiled and watched as Ningguang grabbed a giant rectangle wrapped in paper.
“The first time I visited your bedroom at the Alcor I noticed a lot of papers spreaded on top of your table. And that time at the island I said you were a little disorganized with your documents and you mocked me saying that not everyone had a board to organize things. So… I got you one” Ningguang explained, looking away for a second “I thought a lot about it and saw a lot of interesting things I could buy you, but knowing you I imagined that you might like a useful gift, rather than a fancy one. If you didn't like it I can obviously change it”
Beidou rushed to hug Ningguang, lifting her up from the ground and placing a quick kiss on her lips.
“You are great, Ning. Simply great!” Beidou chuckled happily “You were right, I adored it. Not only because it’s useful, but it was also very thoughtful of you, and for that I’m so thankful. I love you so much”
“I’m glad” Ninnguang replied, delicately fixing her hair after Beidou put her back on the floor “Love you too”
The captain carefully unwrapped it and took a look at the board. It was just like Ninguangg’s one, but smaller. Beidou smiled gladly, already imagining it hung on her bedroom wall, next to Ganyu’s and Yaoyao’s paintings. She put it to the side and thanked Ningguang once more, before walking the other woman’s direction.
“You know, Ning” Beidou started, a smirk on her lips and hands wrapped around Ningguang’s waist “When you said my gift was here I imagined a different sort of thing”
“Well” Ningguang slowly moved her lips closer to Beidou’s ear “The white lingerie I’m wearing is brand new, you can consider it your second gift, if you want”
Beidou chuckled and brushed her lips against Ningguang’s, before heading with her to the bedroom.
Later that night, Beidou found herself spooning Ningguang and staring through the bedroom’s glass door, seeing part of the view the girls had painted for her, admiring the night sky and the light that came from the few lanterns that were kept on for the night. She secretly wished all her birthdays could be exactly like this one.