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“Happy Lantern Rite!”
Ningguang never tires of the view up at the Jade Chamber. In this altitude, she could see the splashes of rich purples and the shining aquamarines of the fireworks up close, to which she spared no expense in funding for this year’s Lantern Rite festival. As she stood fixated on the glimmering shapes and bright hues of each fiery explosion, she couldn’t help but catch a certain captain’s grin towards her right.
Beidou was equally in awe of the colours. Her eye made quick work praising every sight to behold from up this high, from the mountains to the seas, to the bustling city below. It was this eye that noticed Ningguang moments ago leaning against the pillars in silence. A disruption of her peace, should they say, but an invitation to acknowledge something unspoken between them.
Hey, check you out. Looking pretty fancy.
Only a true treasure captures the eye of captain Beidou. Seems I’ve struck gold with this one.
Ningguang smiled at the exchange and remembered every detail that occurred. Beidou’s hot gaze lingered a second too long at her sleek figure, almost as if she was about to say something absurdly bold before a firework exploded before them. Alas, the spark during that moment had ran out and Ningguang was left to imagine what those words could’ve been. She wanted more of that boldness from the captain. She wanted her attention on her, all the time, always. She wanted Beidou.
That’s all the Tianquan ever sought for, really. More.
But regardless of that, tonight wasn’t about her personal desires. It about making sure everyone enjoyed the festival. As Ningguang glanced further to her right, she could see the traveler, Keqing, Yunjin and Xinyan all in high spirits, transfixed by all the sparks in sky. Angling her gaze slightly, she saw Beidou’s own head turned towards her. The captain was caught staring and averted her own gaze. Ningguang blushed.
After a while, the captain spoke.
“Hey,” Beidou nudged her gently. “You did an amazing job this year.”
Hmph. She was referring to the festival, of course. But Ningguang didn’t want her praise, nor any kind of congratulations for something like this. Though, it did mean a lot coming from the illustrious, level-headed captain to say something genuine for once, and not a teasing remark.
“It was nothing,” Ningguang replied. It really was. Effortless even. Ningguang barely lifted a finger. If anything, Beidou should thank Keqing as it was the Yuheng who made this all possible. Ningguang was merely a bank these days, always emptying herself out to her people, but never receiving anything in return.
Beidou was quiet after a while but inside, Ningguang was begging for her to speak. It was far too easy to get lost studying the features of Beidou’s face, the smoothness of her jaw, the toned muscle of her tanned neck. At least when they bicker, or play chess, Ningguang doesn’t have to look at Beidou that much. But underneath the stars of Liyue, Ningguang could see her clearly. Beidou was like a gem to her among the people of Liyue, and Ningguang fears she may be stuck appreciating her from afar.
It’s because of this that Ningguang turns on her heel, and walks back towards the Jade Chamber. Beidou notices in an instant.
“Hey—”
“Huh? Lady Ningguang!” Paimon calls . “Where are you going? Don’t you wanna watch the rest of the fireworks?”
The Tianquan stops in her tracks and smiles, despite all eyes now on her. “I have some matters to attend to tomorrow morning, so I’m calling it a night, everyone. Please, enjoy the rest of the festival and celebrate to your heart’s content. Do keep in mind that it won’t last forever, so enjoy it to the fullest.”
The traveler nods in content as Paimon replies: “Will do! Happy Lantern Rite!!”
Yunjin, Keqing and Xinyan all bid their good nights to the dismissed Tianquan. However, the notorious Captain Beidou doesn’t seem to move from her spot as she stares off in disbelief. The sight of Ningguang’s silhouette shrinking back into her Jade Chamber at this hour makes her frown.
Ningguang pretends she doesn’t notice the captain’s stare, but she can’t help but feel like it’s permanently glued to her back. She barely reaches the front doors when Beidou tugs hard on her blue sleeve.
“You’re leaving already?” The captain asks, almost hurt. “But the festival’s just getting started…There’s so much food to try out and so many things left to do.”
I even had a plan for us and everything…
The captain frowns at Ningguang’s odd silence. “C’mon Ning, what say you and I go down to the harbour together with the whole Liyue crew, huh? We’ll all go to Xiangling’s and try her new Lantern Rite specialty dish, and afterwards, we can try out the new shadow lanterns by the docks. Sea Drake’s prepared a special treat for us too! It’ll be a blast!”
Ningguang frowns. After all her attempts to point Beidou in her direction and her direction only, the captain still insists on the company of others. Has Ningguang not made herself clear? Has she not reiterated countless times before how she only had eyes for Beidou, and simply doesn’t want the company of others mixed in?
The Tianquan bears no ill will against the captains’ many acquaintances but at the same time, the Tianquan refuses to share.
After all her hard work making Beidou a special kind of exception…was Ningguang also not an exception to her?
Oh my dear, captain. Ningguang thought. How many more times will you make me suffer?
“You are free to enjoy the festival as much as you wish, Beidou,” Ningguang inhales a long puff. “But I wasn’t lying earlier. I have a meeting to attend to tomorrow with some merchants from Inazuma, so I’m afraid I must cut my time short. Which means I cannot go with you. Run along with the rest of your crew, if you must, but leave me behind. You know I don’t do well with large crowds.”
Either I have you all to myself or not at all,
Ningguang doesn’t add.
Beidou scoffs.
“Lantern Rite only comes once a year,” The Captain argues. “You can afford one night off. Besides, your secretaries have all gone home to their families. You’ll be alone here.”
Ningguang arches her brow. “Are you perhaps offering me your company?”
Normally, Beidou would reply with something like a “pfft as if,” or a “for a price, my lady,” but as the Tianquan waits for one, it never comes. Instead, Beidou goes unusually quiet and under the harsh moonlight, Ningguang spots a faint rosy blush on the captain’s freckled cheeks.
“You see…My crew have all gone home to celebrate with their families,” Beidou says. “The closest thing I have to a family, or any sort of home…well…I thought of you.”
What?
Ningguang can’t explain the look on Beidou’s flustered face so she retracts. Fast.
“Y-You have done everything I could ever ask you for, Captain Beidou. I have burdened your shoulders more than enough with our Battle against Beisht and I ask you nothing more than to enjoy yourself tonight. Please…don’t let my strict work ethic stop you from enjoying your Lantern Rite. I won’t have it.”
The harsh tsk from Beidou could be heard miles away.
“You don’t understand, Ningguang,” Beidou admits, quietly, pained even. “My Lantern Rite won’t be the same without you.”
Ningguang stops.
“W-We both fought to protect this land, you know,” The captain grabs the blonde’s hand and squeezes it gently. “It’s only right that you get to indulge in its celebrations as well.”
“I…”
“Let’s treasure it together. Just you and I, if you’d like,” Beidou grins. “It can be a date.”
Ningguang almost stuttered.
“S-Since when did you get so…bold?” Despite all her efforts hiding her face from the raven-haired beauty, Ningguang failed to hide her blush.
“Since I first set foot on this floating rock, my lady.”
Beidou smiled as she lead the blushing Tianquan into the city, knowing that she was in fact the one who struck gold with Ningguang.