Work Text:
She admired the Mountains, imposing rock formations which resisted through the years and storms. Liyue’s mountains were undaunted just like its people. At least that was an opinion she and Rex Lapis shared. Heavy stones fear no weather. The trees that surrounded the mountains were a contrast to the rocks, light leaves being moved by the delicate wind coming from the nearby nation.
The harbor was also part of the view this incomparable height painted. Merchant ships and the docks were her favorite view of her home. Probably because the ocean was comparable to the contracts and business she appreciated so much. After all, the sea may drown those who don’t know how to swim but embraces those who are not afraid of diving.
The Jade Chamber indeed had a beautiful view to admire, and it was equally gorgeous on the inside, gold finishings and wooden floor contrasting with the tallow trees of the land below her. Even from this high, the wind blowing from the sea still brought the smell of salt water, a scent Ningguang had grown particularly fond of. A vision, a position as a Qixing member, the Jade Chamber. In her 30 years of life, the Tianquan had conquered all those things to herself, trusting exclusively on her own capacity. However, the thing Ningguang cherished the most was not conquered with effort or acquired with mora. And that thing was right now staring at her, trying to get some attention to herself.
“I really wish I could read your mind sometimes” Beidou sighed, taking the last sip of her tea cup “you simply drifted away in the middle of our conversation”
The two of them were sitting side by side on an outside couch at Ningguang’s garden. It was past eleven p.m. and the glaze lilies they planted together after the lantern rite had already bloomed. The Tianquan could never thank Beidou enough for the idea of growing them at home.
“I apologize” Ningguang said before taking the last sip of her own cup, delicately putting it aside and resting her head on Beidou’s shoulder “I didn’t mean to be rude”
“No worry” the captain chuckled at her lover’s formality. It sometimes felt like Ningguang had forgotten she was with Beidou and not an ordinary business partner. Beidou kissed her head softly and suddenly her voice got excited “But come on, we are gonna be late”
"Excuse me?” Ningguang looked up, red eyes meeting the captain’s ones “Do you mind telling me what we can possibly be late for?”
“For your special surprise I have been planning for a while now” Beidou giggled excitedly, getting up from her seat “Come on!”
It wasn’t like Ningguang was getting the situation, but she followed Beidou without questioning. The captain grabbed her hand and guided her all the way down to the harbor. It was late enough for everyone to be home, their footsteps being the only sounds to break the silence of the empty streets. As they walked, their path illuminated only by the lanterns and the moonlight, Ningguang was reminded of the many late nights she walked alone at the harbor to clear her mind. It had been a while since she had crossed the empty streets, the peaceful feeling becoming once more familiar for her.
They quietly made their way to the end of harbor, where the Alcor was docked, Beidou rather nervous wondering if Ningguang would like her surprise or be absurdly mad at her for taking her out of the house for such a thing.
“My surprise is a ride on your ship?” Ningguang defiantly raised an eyebrow at Beidou, a discreet smirk forming on her lips.
“Nah” Beidou smiled and giggled “Tonight your surprise is a bit more original than that. Follow me”
***
“So you have a surprise for me in your quarters” Ningguang chuckled when she noticed where Beidou was leading “Sounds familiar”
“Indeed” the captain smiled, remembering the day she gave Ningguang the chess board. It had been almost 9 months ago, but Beidou remembered the events of that day as if they had happened yesterday. The first kiss she and Ningguang shared and the first night they spent together. All the things that led them to the present day and made them build their relationship.
They entered the bedroom, and it had stayed as it was the first time Ningguang entered the place. The only difference was one of the walls, which now contained the paintings Ganyu and Yaoyao had given the captain on her birthday, and a board, which was a gift from the Tianquan herself and seemed to be in good use.
“Seems like you are appreciating your gift properly” Ningguang commented, taking a look around searching for her surprise.
“Your birthday is tomorrow” Beidou stated, noticing the curiosity that was visible in her girlfriend’s features.
“Is it?” Ningguang asked rather sarcastically, walking towards Beidou and cupping her cheeks “Thank you for reminding me, I almost forgot”
“You don’t have to be so mean” Beidou faked a whine “I know you never miss a date, I was just introducing the subject. Anyway, we already have plans with our friends to celebrate at night and you’ll probably be having lunch with the other Qixing members, this without mentioning people wishing you their best during the day. And I wanted a private moment to give you your gift. At first I was just going to bring you here and give it to you, but I decided to add somefun to the plan. What do you think?”
“Well, sounds fair” Ningguang placed a sweet kiss on the captain’s lips before answering the invitation “I’m in”
“Great!” Beidou commemorated and let go of the Tianquan’s body and walked towards her bed, crouching and picking a box from under it “We’ll start with Keqing’s gift”
Beidou handed Ningguang the first box. It was marine blue with a silver grey ribbon wrapped around it. The Tianquan placed it on Beidou’s working table, took a seat on her chair, undid the tie and opened the box carefully, a suspicious look on her face. Once the content of the box was revealed, all the mistrust vanished from her face, being immediately replaced with confusion.
“Keqing’s gift for me is a swimsuit?” Ningguang asked and tilted her head to the as she removed the clothing from the box. It was a white one piece with some golden line finishings on the seams, nothing really extravagant, but exactly Ningguang’s style. “I have to admit, she has a good taste”
“She does” Beidou smiled and grabbed four more boxes from under her bed, instantly going back to the room’s entrance “Put it on and meet me outside, I’ll be preparing the next part of your surprise”
***
Ningguang always enjoyed teasing Keqing with every single subject, but after this she would never be able to question her fashion sense. The bath suit fitted her body perfectly. With a final satisfied smile to her reflection in the mirror, she left the ship to meet Beidou on the dock’s woodway.
The captain had also changed clothes, staying now only on her black overall, without her hairpin or eyepatch. She had always been hesitant in showing her white eye, so this sort of exposure and intimacy was reserved exclusively for Ningguang. A blanket was placed on the ground and on top of it were three boxes. Before Ningguang could ask any questions, Beidou gestured for her to sit down.
“Which one do you wanna start with?” Beidou asked the Tianquan, who pointed at the box on the left “Alright, Xiangling’s and Yaoyao’s gift for you”
Beidou carefully opened the yellow and orange box, revealing six desserts that seemed to be three different flavours.
“Xiangling didn’t tell me what they were made of, but they smell amazing” Beidou said, satisfied with the happy smile on Ningguang’s lips “Next?”
Ningguang pointed at the dark red box on the right and Beidou opened, revealing Kazuha’s gift. A bottle of one of the finest sakes in Inazuma. Finally, the captain opened the middle white box and revealed a cup set and two shot glasses.
“Lisa purchased the cups for you, and Ganyu hand painted them herself. They remembered you collect them. When I told everyone if I was planning on bringing you here for your gift, Jean added the glasses on the gift box” Beidou explained and started placing the desserts, the two glasses and the bottle on the blanket “Did you like it?”
“Of course I did” Ningguang smiled and hugged the captain, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
They tasted the desserts, trying to figure out what kind of mixtures the young chefs had made. After that, they took a few sips of the beverage, Ningguang teasing Beidou about her lack of elegance, saying that sake was something to appreciate. After they were done with the late night meal, it was time for Beidou’s gift.
“Well, now it’s my turn I suppose” she rubbed the back of her own head nervously before opening the fourth box and giving it to Ningguang “I had it done specially for you”
Removing it from the bronze box, she revealed a gold bracelet. It was a simple thin chain, with a single golden glaze lily on the middle. The flower’s center had a delicate cor lapis detail, and the petal’s contour had finishings in noctilucous jade. Beidou was waiting anxiously for a response from the Tianquan, but got none. Instead, Ningguang just handed her the bracelet and said “Do you mind putting it on for me?”
With a relieved smile and earning a “I love you” from Ningguang, Beidou put the bracelet on her girlfriend’s wrist, getting a soft kiss as acknowledgement.
“This nice outfit of yours must be premiered, don’t you think?” Beidou smiled and looked at the water that surrounded them and then back at Ningguang, who just nodded. Late night divings in Liyue’s ocean wasn't a habit of hers, but the warm night was really inviting.
They swimmed together for a couple minutes, chatting and mocking each other before the captain suddenly picked Ningguang on her arms, bringing her for a soft embrace and kissing her nose gently.
“It’s midnight” she smiled “Happy birthday, Ningguang”