Chapter Text
Contrary to popular belief, Beidou cannot bench press two hundred thirty pounds.
Sure, she was able to bench Ningguang and Klee at the same time. But that’s different. It was Ningguang. And some dude’s escaped sibling. But she didn’t want to drop Ning, okay? Beidou’s intense gay panic just happened to provide her with the strength she needed to not embarrass herself in front of the most gorgeous woman she’s seen in her life. It’s like those moms who perform incredible feats for their baby. Not a big deal.
It isn’t her fault that half the campus now hates her, is jealous of her, or is jealous of Ningguang. It isn’t even her fault she ended up in benching them, unless you trace back to her claiming she’ll never turn down a dare.
Of course she had to back it up, because she isn’t a liar nor a coward. So she ended up benching Ningguang and a child to Xinyan’s dramatic riffs as background music.
And now she’s accosted by the self-proclaimed tough guys of the campus to everything ranging from arm wrestling to a pool race. You don’t swim against someone who wants to go pro.
She’s on her way to the library to tutor a transfer student when a group of bulkily proportioned people intercept her path, lopsided grins showing off lip piercings and crossed arms flexing tattoos. What a waste of time.
“Yo, babe,” the apparent leader says. “How ‘bout you come with us and we see who the real strong guy is?” The people behind him sneer and crack their knuckles. They look disgusting and ridiculous, which she assumes isn’t their intent. Like some disgusting serpent that crawled out of the mud left by last night’s rain.
Beidou notes the leader has a very punchable face, aside from the unnecessary piercings as he insults her snidely. “Can’t let some rando girl take the campus record, can we?”
That’s right, she topped the weight record at the gym by over fifty pounds. Nearly forgot.
She socks him in the face as she walks past, hiking her bag up her shoulder. “Not interested, buddy. Have fun without me.”
Screw those guys. After the last fight (the seventh one this week, it’s Wednesday) you would think they would get the idea. The idea being “avoid her unless you want a bloody nose.”
Beidou turns the corner, examining the scrape on her knuckle that must’ve been from the guy’s ugly nose ring, and bumps directly into someone. Said someone presses against the wall to stay upright, and Beidou’s snappy remark doesn’t make it out.
Revision; the idea being “avoid her unless you’re blonde, tall, stunning, and Ningguang.”
“Apologies, Beidou.” Ningguang has a stray strand in front of her face and Beidou wants nothing more than to tuck it behind her ear for her. Archons, she’s so gay.
“Don’t worry about it.” She wonders if it would be too forward to put a friendly hand on Ningguang’s shoulder. “Whatcha you up to?”
“I was planning to give these game flyers to Keqing, then head to the library and return some books.” Ningguang readjusts the stack of papers in her arms and Beidou mentally swoons when her biceps flex. “What about you?”
“Gonna tutor at the library for an hour then head to the pool. Wanna join me there? We can race.”
When she isn’t turning the simp dial to ninety, Beidou swims. Butterfly, mainly, and Ning pulls off an amazing breaststroke. Both of them have the ability to go pro, according to the team coach.
“Of course. I’ll meet you at the pool?”
“Got it, see ya then!”
They split apart, and Beidou walks off with more bounce in her step at the promise. There’s nothing better than racing Ning. It’s probably the only time she’s in her overwhelming presence and focused on something other than her. The push and pull of the water, the splash following a break above the surface takes over.
Funnily enough, they used to despise each other. From day one of competitions, they were nothing but opponents and mutual sore losers. During middle school, their personalities clashed more when Beidou ran on the pool deck and crashed into Ningguang at the first team meet.
Beidou wonders how her past self would have reacted to knowing they’d become good friends. And that Beidou would have the biggest crush on her childhood nemesis. Weird things to think about.
“Beidou!” Xinyan skids to a stop in front of her, normally-pigtailed hair in disarray. “You remember the favor you owe me for helping with swim? I need you to be a pirate for the play next week.”
Beidou blinks. Blinks again.
“Sorry, what?”
“A supporting pirate for the play next week. With an eyepatch and stuff. You don’t have that many lines, promise.” She looks at Beidou with pleading eyes. “Yun Jin is panicking as we speak. I’ll invite Ning!” Well, that explains a bit. The favor’s for her theatre girlfriend.
Beidou sighs, running a hand through her hair. “Fine… Just to use up the favor. I’ll join rehearsal tomorrow, if that’s alright. The pool’s gonna be closed for cleaning over the weekend and I wanna get some laps in.”
Xinyan looks at her knowingly. “Racing Ningguang again today, aren’t ya.”
“I’m obvious.”
“No offense, but you really are.”