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Beidou always came home with things. Ningguang never asked for them, but she would always accept them nonetheless. A luminescent shell from a far off shore. A carved wooden figure from a market stall in a pleasant harbor. Earrings crafted from the metal and inlaid jewels of conquered swords. Ningguang never comments on them when presented with them, but always makes sure to place them gently on a shelf in her private room. Beidou never makes a big deal of it, for she sees them, every last one of these small treasures, with her own eyes whenever she visits.
On those particularly hard days, of endless paper and tedious thoughts, Ningguang finds herself glancing at her shelf of foreign wonders. As her eyes pass over each item, her mind is full of that triumphant smile, those red eyes and calloused hands. Beidou always seemed so proud of herself, presenting her findings to Ningguang. She always stated that the woman was “the only treasure truly worth admiring”, followed by a flirtatious grin and obnoxious laugh every time. Always, the Tianquan would roll her eyes and chuckle. She did not believe she was worthy of such a title, however impractical.
On that dark day, as she sent the Jade Chamber careening into Osial, risen from that Harbinger’s despicable plans, Ningguang mourned. Yes, she mourned the loss of her life’s work, her greatest achievement, but also at the loss of all those precious trinkets. Beidou and the Crux weren’t in Liyue, how would she explain it? She could work tirelessly, day and night, to replace the Jade Chamber. Build it bigger, better, stronger than last time. But no matter the effort she gave, Beidou’s treasures couldn’t be brought back.
Would Beidou never bring evidence of her adventures back again? What if she became angry and stopped visiting?
Of course, her worries were for naught. Beidou arrived home, confused as to the absence of the Jade Chamber, but relieved to see the Tianquan safe. After Ningguang's recount of the events of a week prior, Beidou smiled.
“That's alright, Ning! We can always start over. Nothin’ wrong with that, I know you can do it.”
With that, Beidou opened her bag, eyebrows furrowing as she dug around in search of something. After a minute, she drew out a… seashell. A white and gold spiral, glassy and smooth. She looked at Ningguang, that sharp grin on her face again.
“Reminded me of you, see? It’s white like your hair and gold like all your frills an’ stuff! I saw it when we docked in Sumeru, thought you might like it,” the captain said, placing the shell in Ningguang’s open palm. “Don’t worry ‘bout all the other things, Lady Jade, just means I won’t have to worry about how much space you’ve got left on your shelf.”
Relief flooded over Ningguang, her face making it quite obvious. She took the shell and held it to her heart, free hand reaching for Beidou. Ningguang’s laugh was watery as she leaned in, kissing Beidou on the forehead. The captain blushed, unused to open displays of affection as such.
Beidou began to ramble, describing all the new wonders she’d bring home for Ningguang in the future, her sentences littered with amorous remarks, just like always. And Ningguang would smile and roll her eyes as she watched her lover talk, just like always.
Beidou would always come home with more small wonders, and Ningguang would always hold them dear.